1. Background
Since the confirmation of foot-and-mouth disease infection in water buffaloes kept in Germany in January of Reiwa 7, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries had suspended the import of beef and other products (※1) from Germany. (※1) Beef, dairy products, bull semen, straw from cereals, hay for feed, etc. (Excluding dairy products that have been confirmed to have undergone a process to inactivate the foot-and-mouth disease virus, such as heating.)
2. Response
Recently, based on information on foot-and-mouth disease prevention measures provided by the German animal health authorities to our country, we confirmed the cleanliness of the disease in cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle in that country. Therefore, we have lifted the aforementioned temporary suspension of imports (※2) as of today. (※2) The suspension of beef and other imports from affected countries or regions is to prevent the infection of cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals raised in our country with the virus, and is not for food hygiene purposes. Note that the import of live cattle, live pigs, and pork, etc., from Germany is still suspended due to other malignant diseases. Also, live mountain goats, deer, and their meat, etc., cannot be imported as the import conditions have not been set between the two countries. (Reference) Import record of beef and other products, dairy products, and bull semen from Germany