Germany Cleared of FMD: Canada and U.S. Lift Import Restrictions

In a significant development for international trade, Canada and the United States have officially recognized Germany as being free from foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), effectively lifting previous import restrictions on meat and dairy products. The German agricultural ministry confirmed this decision on Tuesday.

The restriction measures had been initially imposed by both North American countries following an FMD outbreak in Germany’s Brandenburg region in January 2025. The outbreak prompted immediate action to prevent the spread of the disease, impacting the import of animal products from Germany.

The removal of these restrictions marks a restoration of trust and a step towards normalizing trade relations, offering a boost to Germany's agricultural sector and ensuring that consumers in Canada and the U.S. have access to high-quality German meat and dairy products once again.