May 6, 2014

Germany enforces new animal health rules to combat livestock disease

In order to improve farm biosecurity and prevent animal diseases, Germany on May 1 announced a new government ruling on animal health.

The new Animal Health Act tightens up guidelines on combatting and controlling livestock disease and demands extra care from veterinarians and animal owners.

But the ruling goes too far in its demands of farmers, who have little impact in a border-free Europe with public access to land, according to the German Farmers Association (DBV).

The DBV spokesman said that no matter how good farm biosecurity is, it cannot stop pathogens entering by careless travellers and mistakes made at border control.

In future, the spokesman said DBV leaders want to see politicians and society act sensitively to support farmers' efforts to control animal diseases.