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Animal Transport Banned in Brandenburg Following Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak
Brandenburg state authorities have imposed a 72-hour ban on transporting cloven-hoofed animals after a case of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was detected in a buffalo herd just outside Berlin. The precautionary measure, which began on Saturday, applies to animals such as cows, pigs, sheep, goats, camels, and llamas. Berlin’s two zoos have also temporarily closed as a safeguard.
Discovery of the Outbreak
The outbreak was identified in Hoenow, a rural area near Berlin, where a farmer reported the deaths of three water buffalo in a herd of 14. Germany’s national animal health institute confirmed on Friday that samples from one of the animals tested positive for FMD. To contain the spread, the remaining animals in the herd were culled.
Nearby, around 200 pigs at a farm in Ahrensfelde will also be slaughtered as a precautionary measure. Authorities are investigating how the disease was introduced to the buffalo herd, though the source of infection remains unclear.
Risks and Impact
Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral infection that primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, and sheep, including those in zoos. While the disease does not pose a risk to humans, people can inadvertently spread the virus through contact with infected animals or contaminated surfaces like farming equipment, clothing, and vehicle tires.
Symptoms of FMD in animals include fever, decreased appetite, excessive drooling, and blisters. Although death rates are typically low, the disease can lead to severe illness and disrupt agricultural operations.
Lessons from the Past
The last outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Germany occurred in 1988, while Europe experienced its most recent case in 2011. A severe outbreak in the United Kingdom in 2001 led to the culling of around six million livestock and incurred economic losses amounting to billions of euros. Critics at the time questioned whether the drastic measures were excessive.
The current outbreak underscores the ease with which the virus spreads through direct contact, airborne transmission, or contaminated surfaces. Infected animals can quickly infect entire herds, making swift containment measures essential.
Ongoing Measures
Authorities are working to trace potential sources of the infection and prevent further spread. Tight international regulations are in place to control FMD outbreaks, and Brandenburg’s ban on animal transport is part of these efforts.
While this is the first reported FMD case in decades, the outbreak serves as a reminder of the importance of vigilance and biosecurity in protecting animal health and the agricultural economy.
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Russia Demands SWIFT Reconnection as Condition to Revive Black Sea Initiative
Russia has set forth a key demand for the restoration of the Black Sea Initiative—reconnecting its Agricultural Bank, Rosselkhozbank, to the SWIFT financial system. This request, which falls under the jurisdiction of the European Union (EU), comes amid ongoing negotiations between global powers on the war in Ukraine.
Partial Ceasefire and Black Sea Security Agreement
Following recent talks in Saudi Arabia, the United States announced that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a partial ceasefire specifically covering energy facilities. While this fell short of the broader ceasefire pushed by former President Donald Trump, the parties also agreed on measures to ensure the safe navigation of commercial vessels in the Black Sea and to prevent their use for military purposes.
However, the Kremlin quickly detailed additional conditions, demanding the lifting of sanctions on food exports, fertilizers, agricultural machinery, and cargo insurance. Most notably, Russia is insisting that Rosselkhozbank and other financial institutions involved in agricultural trade be reinstated on SWIFT, a global messaging system that facilitates secure financial transactions.
EU’s Role and Sanctions History
SWIFT, headquartered in Belgium, falls under EU regulations. In response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the EU removed several Russian banks from SWIFT in 2022, including Sberbank, Credit Bank of Moscow, and Rosselkhozbank. The exclusion was a significant blow to Russia’s financial system, as it restricted the country’s ability to conduct international transactions.
Rosselkhozbank, a state-owned institution, plays a critical role in facilitating payments for Russia’s agricultural exports, a major revenue source through the global sale of wheat, barley, and corn. While the EU has not directly sanctioned Russian agricultural exports, the banking restrictions have complicated payments for these transactions, leading to the collapse of the initial Black Sea Initiative brokered by Turkey and the United Nations.
Diplomatic Tensions and Uncertain Outcomes
The demand to reinstate Rosselkhozbank puts the EU in a difficult position. Granting this request could signal a willingness to make concessions, potentially encouraging Russia to seek further sanctions relief. However, refusing it could provoke tensions with the Trump administration, which is eager to secure a ceasefire.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has consistently opposed easing sanctions, arguing that they must remain in place until Russia ends its military aggression. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen echoed this stance, stating that sanctions would only be lifted after Russia takes concrete steps toward peace.
As EU sanctions require unanimous renewal every six months, any member state could disrupt the process. Hungary, which has previously expressed opposition to sanctions, could leverage this situation to push for changes when restrictions are up for review on July 31.
Future of SWIFT and Global Financial Pressures
While the EU holds the power to reinstate Rosselkhozbank’s SWIFT access, the U.S. could signal leniency by ensuring that those engaging with the bank avoid legal repercussions. Analysts suggest that Russia’s demand may be a strategic move to test both Washington and Brussels, pressuring the EU to reconsider its stance on financial restrictions.
For now, the EU remains firm in its approach. France has indicated that sanctions should remain unless Russia agrees to a full ceasefire, reparations, and security guarantees for Ukraine. However, with negotiations ongoing and international pressure mounting, the debate over SWIFT and broader sanctions relief is unlikely to fade anytime soon.
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