Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Outbreak in Hungary and Slovakia: Implications for Australian Imports

A new Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) outbreak in Hungary, affecting both Hungary and Slovakia, has raised significant concerns for Australia’s biosecurity. The outbreak was officially reported on 7 March 2025, prompting immediate action to assess potential risks to the nation’s livestock and agricultural industries.

Australia’s Response to the FMD Outbreak

Following this development, an assessment of biosecurity risks associated with impacted commodities imported from Hungary and Slovakia has been initiated. To mitigate potential risks, both countries have been removed from Australia’s list of FMD-free nations. As a result, import conditions for a range of goods are being reviewed, with immediate biosecurity controls imposed on affected commodities.

Impacted Commodities and Import Restrictions

Effective immediately, commercial consignments and personal imports of the following goods sourced, manufactured, or exported from Hungary or Slovakia will be subject to biosecurity control:

• Dairy Products: Including those for commercial use or personal effects.
• Beef Food Items: Brought in by passengers or through the mail.
• Reproductive Materials: Derived from cattle, sheep, goats, zoo bovids, giraffes, or elephants.
• Veterinary Therapeutics: Containing or derived from bovine, porcine, ovine, caprine, cervine, or camelid materials.
• Pet Food and Stock Feed: Containing or derived from susceptible animal sources.
• Laboratory Goods: Including test kits, animal fluids, tissues, culture media, foetal bovine serum, and environmental samples.

Further Assessment and Future Actions

A detailed assessment of all traded goods from Hungary and Slovakia is ongoing. Additional import restrictions may be introduced in the coming days, potentially affecting pet food, stock feed, laboratory reagents, and reproductive materials. Further updates will be issued via industry notices and relevant channels.

Permit holders and applicants impacted by these changes will be contacted regarding necessary amendments to their import conditions. Any goods currently in transit will be assessed on a case-by-case basis:

• Products manufactured before 3 February 2025 may be eligible for release if appropriate evidence is provided to biosecurity officers.
• Products manufactured after 3 February 2025 may not be allowed entry into Australia and could be subject to re-export or destruction.

Key Takeaways for Importers and Brokers

Importers and customs brokers should carefully review their shipments and seek guidance before proceeding with any imports from Hungary or Slovakia. If you are uncertain about the status of your goods, please reach out to our office for clarification before making shipping arrangements.

Australia remains committed to protecting its livestock and agricultural industries from FMD and other biosecurity threats. Ongoing vigilance and compliance with import regulations are crucial to ensuring the nation’s continued safety from this highly contagious disease.