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Key Points

Central European countries are mobilizing to combat the potential spread of foot-and-mouth disease across their borders. The Visegrad Group nations, led by Czech Agriculture Minister Marek Vyborny, are seeking coordinated EU-level intervention to prevent livestock infections. Up to 20 military veterinarians will support border inspections and implement emergency measures. Recent outbreaks in Slovakia and Hungary have heightened the urgency of a comprehensive regional response.

Key Points: V4 Nations Seek EU Coordination Against Foot-and-Mouth Disease

  • Central European states propose unified EU strategy against foot-and-mouth disease
  • Military veterinarians to support border inspections
  • Slovakia and Hungary report recent FMD outbreaks
  • Strict import restrictions implemented for livestock products
2 min read

Central Europe calls for EU coordination in combating foot-and-mouth disease

Central European states unite to prevent foot-and-mouth disease spread, deploy military veterinarians for border control and livestock protection

"The current situation requires a coordinated response at EU level - Marek Vyborny, Czech Agriculture Minister"

Prague, April 3

Central European states are seeking European Union (EU) -wide coordination to contain the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), Czech Minister of Agriculture Marek Vyborny said.

The minister told journalists on Wednesday that the objective is to present a unified proposal to the European Commission together with partners from the Visegrad Group (V4) -- Czech Republic, Slovakia, Poland, Hungary -- and neighbouring Austria and Germany.

"The current situation requires a coordinated response at the EU level to prevent further spread of the disease and to protect livestock in individual member states," he said.

Also, on Wednesday, the Czech government approved the deployment of military veterinarians to assist in border controls in response to the current situation surrounding FMD.

Up to 20 military veterinarians are expected to support the State Veterinary Administration and contribute to inspections of cargo transport from Thursday or Friday, according to the Ministry of Agriculture, reports Xinhua news agency.

The minister added that extraordinary veterinary measures are already in place, and an emergency status would only be declared if an outbreak was confirmed on a Czech farm.

According to the latest reports, new FMD outbreaks have been confirmed on farms in Slovakia and Hungary. One outbreak in Slovakia at the beginning of the week lies just about 50 km from the border with the Czech Republic.

In the Czech Republic, in addition to restrictions on the import of livestock and animal products, the ban also extends to feed, including hay and straw, from Slovakia and Hungary.

Foot-and-mouth disease is a highly contagious viral illness that primarily affects cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats. It causes fever, loss of appetite, excessive salivation, and blisters on the mouth and feet.

In the Czech Republic, the disease was last detected in 1975.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

J
Jakub S.
This is such an important issue! Our farmers have been through enough with droughts and price fluctuations. Glad to see regional cooperation on biosecurity measures 👏
M
Monika K.
My uncle's farm in Slovakia was affected last week. Devastating to see healthy animals being culled. EU-wide coordination is long overdue!
T
Tomas V.
While I support the measures, I wonder if deploying military vets is overkill? Couldn't civilian resources handle this? The article doesn't explain why this step is necessary.
A
Anna B.
The last outbreak was in 1975?! That's before I was born. Scary how these diseases can reappear after decades. Stay vigilant everyone 🐄
P
Petr L.
Good to see V4 countries working together on this. We're stronger when we coordinate our responses. Hope Brussels listens to this proposal.
E
Eva M.
The ban on hay imports seems particularly strict - does anyone know if there are exceptions for small quantities? I have a friend who regularly buys hay from Hungary for her horses.

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