FMD outbreak in China raises concerns for global trade

Recent cases of foot-and-mouth disease in China have prompted renewed calls for farmers to remain vigilant for signs of infection, and could have potential implications for international trade.

A preliminary outbreak assessment by Defra covering the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, assessed the risk of incursion from China as “low”.

It stated that the outbreak was initially detected at a livestock market in north-western China, and was reported to the World Organisation for Animal Health (Woah) on 16 April, involving 142 cases in domestic cattle and more than 500 further susceptible animals on site.

See also: Global demand for dairy set to grow as supplies slow

A second outbreak was then detected roughly 2,000km away in central China, which Defra says raises questions about the potential of multiple introductions or undetected transmission pathways in the country.

At the Dairy Industry Newsletter conference in London on 7 May, Christophe Lafougère, chief executive at international consultancy firm Gira, said the two regions in China with FMD outbreaks, Xinjiang and Gansu, represent about 8% of total milk collections in China.

Mr Lafougère said: “The Chinese government has closed the provinces so animals can’t move and have been able to produce a vaccine in two weeks, so they are vaccinating cattle now.

“However, you need to kill the cows if you want to eradicate the disease.

“If cases continue it could be a major disrupter to dairy commodity prices in 2026.”

Cases in Europe

Further cases of FMD have also been reported in Cyprus and Greece in recent months, with outbreaks on more than 100 farms in Cyprus.

The UK government has applied restrictions on certain commercial imports in response.

Import controls preventing personal meat and dairy imports into GB from any EU country have also been introduced as a precautionary measure.

According to Woah, FMD continues to pose a serious and evolving threat to animal health, food security, livelihoods, and international trade.

It adds: “FMD (serotype SAT 1) has spread beyond its historical African range, causing outbreaks in countries previously free, including those in Southern Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.

“The dynamic nature of this epidemiological situation underscores the need for sustained global vigilance and adapted actions.”

There is also growing speculation about the prevalence of FMD in Russia, following the introduction of strict disease control measures and reports of large-scale culling in the country.

UK impact

The UK remains free of FMD, although Defra says there is still a low risk of incursion. 

A Defra spokesman said: “This government is fully committed to protecting our biosecurity and farming industry and the UK remains FMD free.

“We have tightened import rules, increased checks at the border and are investing £1bn into a new National Biosecurity Centre.

“These strengthened measures are working. We are seizing significantly more illegal meat at the border than ever before and keeping dangerous products out of the UK food chain.”