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Takáč: Outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease also confirmed in southern Slovakia after some EU countries

by AI | 21.Mar 2025 | Europe in brief AI

Richard Takáč announced that an epidemic of foot-and-mouth disease appeared in animal farms in southern Slovakia.

The Minister of Agriculture of the Slovak Republic Richard Takáč at a press conference on the current topic regarding the development of foot-and-mouth disease. PHOTO: TASR

Bratislava – In Slovakia, the occurrence of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed in three cattle farms in the districts of Komárno and Dunajská Streda in the south of the country. This was announced by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development of the Slovak Republic Richard Takáč (Smer-SD) before the government meeting on Friday. This contagious disease has already occurred in other EU states, in Hungary and in Germany this year, reports TASR.

“Foot-and-mouth disease and lameness have been confirmed in three farms in southern Slovakia, which is a very serious and very big problem. I also want to inform that immediately after the government meeting, the National Commission for Diseases will convene,” said the Minister of Agriculture. Slovakia closely monitored the spread of foot-and-mouth disease in neighboring Hungary, and the State Veterinary and Food Administration of the Slovak Republic (ŠVPS SR) issued recommendations to Slovak breeders on March 18 with instructions on how to effectively protect farms from this highly contagious disease.

The minister specified on Friday that the most important thing will be for the national commission to convene and, together with the veterinary and food administration, take steps to prevent the further spread of this insidious virus.

“I believe that together we can stop and manage it. It’s something we have here after 50 years,” Takáč emphasized.

In such cases, Slovakia must follow the Council Directive 2003/85/EC on EU measures to control foot-and-mouth disease. This directive came into effect in November 2003, and EU member countries had to incorporate it into national law by June 30, 2004.

Minister Takáč stressed that if a viral disease is identified in any herd, the entire herd must be culled.

“Our common task will be to do everything to prevent the spread of the virus, and then, of course, we will also address compensation for the affected agricultural entities,” Takáč explained. (March 21)