Germany has reported its first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in almost four decades, marking the first case in the European Union since 2011.
The highly contagious viral infection was discovered in a herd of water buffalo on the outskirts of Berlin. South Korea, Mexico and Great Britain have already imposed import bans on German meat.
Farmer Alexander Welsch tends to his livestock day and night. His family-run farm is home to 80 cows and tens of sheep, all of which are susceptible to foot and mouth disease.
"This is of course a huge risk for farmers. On the one hand, the animals themselves are replaced, but the losses resulting from this in the future are not. To imagine the situation where one day the stable is full and the next day it is empty is a horror scenario for farmers," he said.
The case, first in Germany since 1988, was discovered among a herd of water buffalo on a farm in the state of Brandenburg, about an-hour drive east of Berlin.
A few days later, 55 goats and sheep and three cattle from a nearby farm were slaughtered as a precautionary measure.
As authorities acted swiftly to contain the outbreak, no new cases has been reported since the initial discovery. However, the damage has already been significant.
Germany's annual export of animal products amounts to about 10 billion euros, but the United Kingdom, its largest customer, has banned all imports of German cattle, pigs, and sheep, following similar actions from South Korea and Mexico.
Several EU countries have also heightened controls on German livestock as Berlin works to reassure trade partners.
Welsh, who is also the head of a state farmer's association, says everyone is concerned about the impact of the disease on an industry already strained by high energy costs.
"If there were to be major restrictions on trade, this would of course also have an impact on this sector. This means that at some point, stocks will be full and beef can only be stored for a limited time. Accordingly, if quantities or cuts that are exported can no longer be sold, then there is a threat of price reductions."
German experts are currently investigating the origin of the outbreak and seeking to identify the initial case.
Germany farmer worries about foot-and-mouth disease outbreak
