Information on foot-and-mouth disease (FMD)

Foot-and-mouth disease has not occurred in Denmark since 1983, and Denmark is recognised by the OIE as an FMD-free country, where vaccination is not practised.

Outbreak in Bulgaria in 2011
There has been no import of live cloven-hoofed animals to Denmark from Bulgaria in recent years.

It is important to note that the incubation period of FMD is up to 14 days.

The entire Danish veterinary control and surveillance system is on continuous alert, and all precautions will be maintained until the FMD situation in Bulgaria is normalized.

Import restrictions
The European Commission has prohibited any movement of live cloven-hoofed animals out of the following areas in Bulgaria: Burgas, Kardjali, Haskovo, Yambol, Sliven, Shumen and Varna.

Further, the Danish veterinary authorities play a key role in connection to import of live animals to Denmark. According to EU-legislation the Danish Veterinary and Food Administration shall in advance authorize any import of live animals to Denmark. In case a consignment may constitute a risk to humans or animals, the import will not be allowed.

Clearly, any import that constitutes a risk of spreading FMD will not be allowed.
Export restrictions
The European Commission has prohibited other EU Member States to dispatch live cloven-hoofed animals into the Region of Burgas in Bulgaria.