Germany bans animal transport

Taking no risks - cars arriving in Germany are disinfected

Germany's Agriculture Ministry has announced a total ban on the transport of all animals at risk from foot-and-mouth disease.

Italian farmers are using lime to stop the disease entering the country

"Sheep, goats, cows and pigs can only be transported in exceptional cases from farms to slaughterhouses or other farms," said Deputy Agriculture Minister Alexander Mueller.

Germany's announcement follows Italy's decision on Wednesday to bring in a global ban on the import of all animals susceptible to foot-and-mouth and to limit the transport of animals within Italy.

Although no cases of the disease have so far been confirmed on mainland Europe, both countries are being particularly vigilant.

Their precautions are even more stringent than EU regulations brought in on Tuesday, banning livestock markets for two weeks and extending the ban on UK meat and dairy exports.

In Italy, regulations will also ban animals from going on display at exhibitions, fairs and circuses.

Nordic concern

Scandinavian countries have also been cracking down on the threat of the disease and have imposed restrictions stopping the popular sport of reindeer racing.

Traditional reindeer races have been stopped because of the disease

Norway, which is not a member of the EU, has imposed strict precautions and banned the gathering of animals, including reindeer, susceptible to foot-and-mouth.

Sweden and Finland have also banned races.

"Never in my whole career have I heard of a reindeer catching foot-and-mouth. But as the reindeer is a hoofed animal, you never know," said Finnish vet Pirkko Pirinen.

Precautions have also been stepped up in Denmark, where customs officials have been confiscating food brought in by travellers arriving in the country.