Due to the expanding hazard of spread of foot-and-mouth disease, Minister of Agriculture and agrarian improvement Czesław Siekierski decided to ban imports of selected goods from Slovakia to Poland. This dangerous viral disease, which affects cloven-hoofed animals, poses a serious challenge to agriculture and veterinary health. The article explains what products have been banned, what are the reasons for this decision and what steps have been taken to defend Polish farms.
Foot-and-mouth illness – a serious animal disease
foot-and-mouth illness is simply a viral illness that attacks cloven-hoofed animals, both farmed and wild. Cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats are the most susceptible to infection. The illness is characterized by a advanced incidence and fast rate of spread, which can lead to massive economical losses. The last case of foot-and-mouth illness in Poland was recorded in 1971, but the current situation in Europe prompted the authorities to take preventive action.
Prohibition of imports from Slovakia
On Friday, the Ministry of Agriculture adopted a regulation which temporarily closes the borders of Poland on imports of selected goods from Slovakia. The prohibition shall include:
- captive and chaotic cloven-hoofed animals and the biological material of those animals,
- fresh meat, offal, minced meat, mechanically separated meat, natural meat preparations,
- casings and meat products derived from kept and chaotic cloven-hoofed animals,
- raw milk, colostrum and dairy products derived from cloven-hoofed animals,
- animal by-products and derived products derived from farmed and chaotic cloven-hoofed animals,
- manure, straw and hay.
This decision responds to the detection of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth illness in Europe, including Hungary and Brandenburg, Germany.
Increased border checks
In mid-March, veterinary checks were introduced at border crossing points between Poland and the Czech Republic and Slovakia. These activities are aimed at preventing the virus from entering Poland. The rate of spread is enormous. The same applies to farm losses," said chief veterinarian Krzysztof Jażdżewski on Polsat News. As a precautionary measure, circumstantial ‘disinfective gates’ are utilized at the limits to prevent the transmission of the virus by vehicles transporting animals.
Foot-and-mouth illness outbreak in Brandenburg
In January 2023, a first outbreak of foot-and-mouth illness was detected in Brandenburg, Germany. This event prompted Polish authorities to increase border controls and to introduce additional safety measures. The foot-and-mouth illness virus is exceptionally resistant and can last in the environment for a long time, making it even more dangerous.
Why is this decision important?
The introduction of a ban on imports from Slovakia is simply a key step in protecting Polish agriculture from a possible foot-and-mouth illness epidemic. This illness not only threatens animal health, but can besides lead to immense economical losses. The authorities call on farmers and breeders to exercise peculiar care and to study any worrying symptoms in animals.
Summary
Pryszczyca is simply a serious threat to European agriculture and Poland is taking decisive steps to defend its farms from this disease. Prohibition of imports of selected goods from Slovakia and increased border controls are only part of the measures to prevent the spread of the virus. It is worth following further messages from the Ministry of Agriculture to keep up with the current recommendations.
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Pryszczyca in Europe: Poland bans imports from Slovakia
