Slovakia is intensifying efforts to contain the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, though officials say it will not lead to food shortages or major price hikes. Agriculture Minister Richard Takáč (Smer-SD) noted that Slovakia’s reliance on food imports helps minimize domestic impact. Small-scale farmers will receive compensation next week, with support for larger farms to follow. Funding will come from national and EU sources.
To curb the spread of the disease, Interior Minister Matúš Šutaj Eštok announced the closure of 17 border crossings with Hungary in the Bratislava, Košice, and Banská Bystrica regions. The move aims to free up police and customs officers for domestic inspections. Random farm checks, including drone surveillance, will also be launched.
“We must do everything we can to control the situation. The risk of the disease spreading to other regions would put even more pressure on our resources,” said Šutaj Eštok.
The disease has been confirmed at six farms in southern and western Slovakia. Meanwhile, Austria’s decontamination team, deployed under the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, ended its mission after disinfecting over 6,000 trucks. Czech firefighters continue assisting at other sites.
Source: TASR
