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Prime Minister Fico: We do not forget the farmers, we are looking for compensations also from EU sources

by AI | 24.Mar 2025 | Europe in brief AI

Robert Fico announced that the government is seeking compensation for farmers whose livestock has been affected by foot-and-mouth disease, also from EU sources.

Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic Robert Fico promised on Sunday that the government is seeking compensation for the affected farmers from both domestic and European sources. PHOTO: TASR

Bratislava – The government will not leave farmers, who lose their animals due to the foot-and-mouth disease epidemic, “in the lurch.” Compensation is being sought on two levels, from domestic sources and EU funds. This was stated by Prime Minister Robert Fico (Smer-SD) during a crisis commission meeting at the agri-department. Agriculture Minister Richard Takáč (Smer-SD) added that small breeders will also be compensated, reports TASR.

“I declare publicly and officially. Despite the difficult financial situation this country is in, the Slovak government will not abandon farmers,” Fico declared. He detailed that he is ready to negotiate with the highest representatives of the European Commission (EC). Takáč will speak at the agricultural ministers’ meeting in Brussels on Monday (24.3.) in this context.

The Prime Minister invited representatives of affected farms and companies, which will be significantly damaged by the disease, as well as representatives of farmers and food producers to a meeting at the government office on Tuesday (25.3.). “I will make another joint statement, which will guarantee that the state must act in this situation because it is about state interests,” he noted.

Martin Chudý, Director of the State Veterinary and Food Administration (ŠVPS) SR, confirmed after the commission meeting that Slovakia still has three outbreaks of the infection. On Sunday, emergency vaccination of the second outbreak was also completed. “It is a cushion during the culling of animals in the first farm in Bake,” he said. According to Chudý, animals from smaller contact farms were culled on Sunday.

According to Chudý, unregistered farms are a problem in the spread of this disease. “These are huge risks of spreading the infection because you have no knowledge of such a farm,” the ŠVPS chief stated, adding that the breeder is legally obliged to be registered for the breeding of farm animals. One such unregistered farm was found, where there were pigs, sheep, goats, and a horse. According to Chudý, these animals were culled except for the horse, as it is not susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease.

The occurrence of foot-and-mouth disease is confirmed in cattle farms in three villages in southern Slovakia – Medveďov, Ňárad, and Bake, following previous outbreaks in Germany and Hungary. The disease likely spread to Slovakia from Hungary. An extraordinary situation has been declared in the Dunajská Streda district since Friday (21.3.). It is a serious, highly contagious, acute febrile viral disease of livestock with significant economic impacts. (March 23)