Foot-and-mouth disease under control: Luxembourg strengthens biosecurity amid outbreaks in Europe

Following new cases of foot-and-mouth disease (MKS - Maul- und Klauenseuche) in Germany and Hungary, the Luxembourg Ministry of Agriculture has confirmed that no cases of the disease have been reported in the country and that there have been no imports of animals from Hungary in 2025. This was stated in an official response by Minister Martine Hansen to a parliamentary enquiry by MP Jeff Boonen.

Specialists have confirmed that the outbreaks in Germany and Hungary are unrelated. In the former case, the virus serotype is similar to the one circulating in Turkey, while the Hungarian case is almost identical to the strain detected in Pakistan in 2017. So far, the origin of the virus in Hungary remains unidentified.

In accordance with the European legislation on animal health (Loi santé animale), sanitary measures were immediately introduced in Hungary: a ban on the transport of susceptible animals (cattle, pigs, sheep and goats) and the establishment of protection and control zones.

In Luxembourg, however, the focus is on preventive biosecurity of agricultural enterprises, which the authorities consider to be a key tool for livestock protection. Together with the Chamber of Agriculture, the country has introduced Biocheck, a tool that allows farmers and veterinarians to conduct a self-audit on infection protection, identify weaknesses and address potential risks.

However, preventive vaccination against FMD is banned in EU countries, making preventive measures and on-farm sanitary control particularly important.

Thus, in the face of increasing threats in neighbouring countries, Luxembourg remains in the "green zone" for the time being, but is expanding its prevention and monitoring measures to prevent the spread of the disease.