Slovakia Deploys Troops Amid Rising Foot-and-Mouth Disease Threat
Farmers face an ongoing crisis as Slovakia allocates funds and military support to combat the disease's spread.
Foot-and-mouth disease has recently emerged in Levél, Hungary, necessitating the culling of 2,300 animals in Győr-Moson-Sopron County, as confirmed by local agricultural authorities.
Subsequent developments indicate that the virus has also been identified in a farming operation in Dunakiliti.
As neighboring countries respond to the situation, Slovakia has declared that the issue could become a continent-wide challenge.
On Monday, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico convened an extraordinary government meeting to address the crisis, announcing the allocation of €10 million for the purchase of necessary equipment and the implementation of preventive measures against foot-and-mouth disease.
He indicated that the culling of 1,000 cattle would incur costs ranging from €7 to €10 million for the state.
Fico highlighted a recent conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, during which he warned that the disease’s spread from Slovakia and Hungary could pose a broader European threat.
The Slovak Prime Minister asserted that the existing damages could amount to €60 million, with potential for further increases.
As part of the response, the government plans to involve professional soldiers to enforce regulatory measures and maintain public order at borders and designated locations, reflecting the severity of the situation reported by the media.
In the Czech Republic, authorities have intensified preventive measures, even though no cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been detected.
Starting midnight Monday, imports of certain animal products from Slovakia, Hungary, Lower Austria, and Burgenland have been prohibited, with increased checks at border crossings.
Additionally, from Tuesday onwards, inspections of dairy farms in South Moravia will be conducted, as the disease is often first identified in milk.
The Czech Minister of Defense, Jana Cernochová, announced a proposal for increased military involvement in combating the spread of the disease, supporting the requests from farmers in South Moravia.
The checks conducted by the Czech army are set to include disinfection of freight trucks arriving from Slovakia and Austria.
Agriculture Minister Marek Vyborny has cautioned farmers against importing young goat and lamb meats from Slovakia, especially ahead of the Easter holiday period.
Meanwhile, in Hungary, Minister István Nagy confirmed during a recent meeting that a new case of foot-and-mouth disease has been reported in Levél. He indicated that the virus likely originated from Slovakia.
Strict regulations have been implemented in the affected areas, including:
- Designation of a three-kilometer protective zone and a ten-kilometer surveillance zone.
- Prohibition on the movement of susceptible animals in the Győr and Mosonmagyaróvár districts until Saturday midnight.
- Enactment of grazing and hunting bans.
- Closure of zoos.
- Plans to dispose of culled livestock near the farming sites.
- Emphasis on reducing backyard animal populations with prior notifications to local authorities for any slaughtering.
- Prohibition of exhibitions and fairs involving susceptible animals.
Nagy urged farm leaders to isolate workers to prevent the disease's spread.
He reassured the public that all necessary human and financial resources would be allocated to eradicate the virus, emphasizing that the disease poses no danger to human health.
Subsequent developments indicate that the virus has also been identified in a farming operation in Dunakiliti.
As neighboring countries respond to the situation, Slovakia has declared that the issue could become a continent-wide challenge.
On Monday, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico convened an extraordinary government meeting to address the crisis, announcing the allocation of €10 million for the purchase of necessary equipment and the implementation of preventive measures against foot-and-mouth disease.
He indicated that the culling of 1,000 cattle would incur costs ranging from €7 to €10 million for the state.
Fico highlighted a recent conversation with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, during which he warned that the disease’s spread from Slovakia and Hungary could pose a broader European threat.
The Slovak Prime Minister asserted that the existing damages could amount to €60 million, with potential for further increases.
As part of the response, the government plans to involve professional soldiers to enforce regulatory measures and maintain public order at borders and designated locations, reflecting the severity of the situation reported by the media.
In the Czech Republic, authorities have intensified preventive measures, even though no cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been detected.
Starting midnight Monday, imports of certain animal products from Slovakia, Hungary, Lower Austria, and Burgenland have been prohibited, with increased checks at border crossings.
Additionally, from Tuesday onwards, inspections of dairy farms in South Moravia will be conducted, as the disease is often first identified in milk.
The Czech Minister of Defense, Jana Cernochová, announced a proposal for increased military involvement in combating the spread of the disease, supporting the requests from farmers in South Moravia.
The checks conducted by the Czech army are set to include disinfection of freight trucks arriving from Slovakia and Austria.
Agriculture Minister Marek Vyborny has cautioned farmers against importing young goat and lamb meats from Slovakia, especially ahead of the Easter holiday period.
Meanwhile, in Hungary, Minister István Nagy confirmed during a recent meeting that a new case of foot-and-mouth disease has been reported in Levél. He indicated that the virus likely originated from Slovakia.
Strict regulations have been implemented in the affected areas, including:
- Designation of a three-kilometer protective zone and a ten-kilometer surveillance zone.
- Prohibition on the movement of susceptible animals in the Győr and Mosonmagyaróvár districts until Saturday midnight.
- Enactment of grazing and hunting bans.
- Closure of zoos.
- Plans to dispose of culled livestock near the farming sites.
- Emphasis on reducing backyard animal populations with prior notifications to local authorities for any slaughtering.
- Prohibition of exhibitions and fairs involving susceptible animals.
Nagy urged farm leaders to isolate workers to prevent the disease's spread.
He reassured the public that all necessary human and financial resources would be allocated to eradicate the virus, emphasizing that the disease poses no danger to human health.
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