UK foot and mouth disease risk low; EU cases, rules

Here’s the clear, classroom‑ready picture on foot and mouth disease this spring. We’ll walk through what FMD is and isn’t, where cases have appeared in Europe, and why the UK’s border rules matter. Most importantly, officials say there is no risk to human health.

Foot and mouth disease, often shortened to FMD, affects cloven‑hoofed animals such as cattle, sheep, pigs, goats, camelids and deer. It does not infect humans. That childhood illness called hand, foot and mouth is a different virus entirely, seen in people and not the same as FMD.

As of 18 March 2026 there are no cases in the UK, according to the UK Government. Confirmed cases in Europe include Greece in March 2026 and Cyprus in February 2026. In 2025, authorities recorded outbreaks in Slovakia and Hungary in March and in Germany in January. The UK’s last outbreak was in 2007.

What it means: outbreaks abroad can still threaten farms here because animal diseases can move with contaminated meat or milk, on clothing or equipment, or via animals and animal products. Border rules are a protective shield for livelihoods, the wider rural economy and export markets.

If you’re travelling, the personal rule is simple: do not bring meat or dairy products from cows, sheep, pigs or goats into Great Britain if they come from the EU, the EFTA states, the Faroe Islands or Greenland. This applies to picnic food, gifts and groceries carried in your luggage.

For commercial trade, extra controls apply to products from Cyprus and Greece. Imports of hay and straw are restricted, as are any live animals from FMD‑susceptible species. Further restrictions cover germplasm, fresh meat, meat products unless suitably heat treated, milk and dairy unless suitably treated, animal by‑products including pet food, and casings.

Officials currently assess the risk of FMD entering the UK as low. The Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA) has published outbreak assessments that set out the evidence behind this judgement, including reports on cases in Germany, in Hungary and Slovakia, and in North Africa and the Middle East.

Learning prompt: if the risk is low, why keep strong rules? Because risk is about probability and impact. The chance of entry is small, but the consequences of a single case would be significant for farmers, vets and rural communities. Prevention is cheaper and kinder than cure.

Livestock keepers should stay alert to signs of disease and maintain good biosecurity on farm. Government guidance on GOV.UK explains the practical steps for vigilance and day‑to‑day prevention, from cleaning and disinfection to safe sourcing and record‑keeping.

If you suspect FMD in your animals, you must report it immediately. Call 03000 200 301 in England or 0300 303 8268 in Wales. In Scotland, contact your local Field Services Office. Quick reporting helps authorities act fast to protect neighbouring farms.

Health check: foot and mouth disease is not a public health or food safety risk. People cannot catch it from animals in this outbreak context, and the UK rules exist to protect animals and the rural economy rather than because there is a danger to you.

Glossary: cloven‑hoofed means animals with hooves split into two parts, such as cattle or deer. Biosecurity refers to everyday steps that keep disease out of farms. Germplasm is genetic material such as semen or embryos used for breeding. APHA is the Animal and Plant Health Agency, the government body that investigates animal disease.

Short timeline for reference: the Government strengthened personal meat‑import rules in April 2025, then adjusted controls through 2025 as Germany, Slovakia and Hungary reported cases. In February 2026 Cyprus confirmed FMD, followed by Greece in March 2026. Through this period the UK remained free of the disease and the assessed risk stayed low.

Classroom task: compare a Government press notice with an APHA technical assessment and summarise the who, what, when, where and why in five sentences. You’ll see how clear evidence, clear dates and clear rules make fast decision‑making possible during an animal‑health alert.