The UK government has stepped up measures to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), with the introduction of an import ban on cattle, pigs and sheep from Germany.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the move looks to “protect farmers and their livelihoods”, after a case of the disease has been confirmed in Germany. The department stated GB health certificates will no longer be issued for animals susceptible to FMD, including all live animals and fresh meat.

While there are no cases currently in the UK, chief veterinary officer Dr Christine Middlemiss is urging livestock keepers to remain vigilant to the clinical signs of FMD, which for cattle, include sores and blisters on the feet, mouth and tongue with potentially a fever, lameness and a reluctance to feed.

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While it is understood the disease poses no risk to human or food safety, it is a highly contagious viral disease of cattle, sheep, pigs and other cloven-hoofed animals, and according to Defra, can cause “significant economic losses” due to production losses in the affected animals.

Middlemiss said: “We remain in constant contact with German counterparts to understand the latest situation following their confirmation of a single case of Foot and Mouth disease.

“We have robust contingency plans in place to manage the risk of this disease to protect farmers and Britain’s food security, which means using all measures to limit the risk incursion and spread of this devastating disease.

“I would urge livestock keepers to exercise the upmost vigilance for signs of disease, follow scrupulous biosecurity and report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.”