January 28, 2025

Netherlands cuts back measures against FMD following negative tests for animals

The results of foot and mouth disease (FMD) tests carried out in the Netherlands revealed that no animals with the disease have been found in the country.

This followed the confirmation of the first case of FMD in Germany in 37 years.

As such, Netherlands' Minister of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Safety, and Nature (LVVN), Femke Marije Wiersma, decided to reduce measures previously implemented. These measures included movement bans and visits to veal calf farms.

The restrictions will remain in place only for the 12 farms for which the results of the new tests are not yet available. As of January 24, Wiersama decided to lift the movement and visitation bans.

LVVN continues to closely monitor developments in Germany, which has not extended general transport restrictions through the state of Brandenburg. No other farms are infected. The restriction and surveillance zones of three and 10 kilometers around the affected water buffalo farm will remain in force until at least February 11 in accordance with European animal health regulations.

- Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security, and Nature (the Netherlands)