Fighting Strategies of the European Union against the Recent Spread of Foot-and-Mouth Disease
In the face of recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Germany, Hungary, and now Slovakia, concerns are mounting about whether the European Union (EU) is adequately equipped to tackle this highly contagious viral threat that has been causing havoc on livestock farms. Let's dive into the measures the EU has in place, the challenges it faces, and the implications for affected farms and the EU's agricultural industry as a whole.
FMD primarily affects cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs, and although it poses no risk to human health, infected animals endure immense suffering, and their milk or meat production is significantly reduced. Most animals survive the infection, but they can carry the highly contagious virus for an extended period, underscoring the urgency of rapid containment through quarantine and the culling of both infected and healthy animals.
The EU has a robust legal framework to manage outbreaks, encompassing trade restrictions on susceptible animals and their products, as well as mandatory contingency plans for all member states. cutting-edge state-backed laboratories collaborate with the EU Reference Laboratory, allowing experts to devise the most effective emergency measures for each outbreak. As a result of the culling and trade restrictions, agriculture sectors often suffer heavy losses. To alleviate the financial burden, affected member states can apply for EU compensation funds once the total costs suffered by the farmers and the sector's supply chain have been calculated.
Slovakia is currently grappling with FMD, with at least six farms confirmed positive, and between 6,000 and 7,000 animals culled so far. Hundreds of farms are under surveillance and undergoing disinfection. One of the farms spared from the disease so far is Agrocontract Mikulas dairy farm, boasting 6,000 animals, including 3,000 dairy cows, and annually producing 35 million liters of milk. With access restricted, workers and machinery must adhere to strict disinfection procedures, causing stress and worry among the farm's owners.
Although Europe has developed a coordinated response to FMD, there are debates about the adequacy of these measures. The EU's open borders and common market facilitate the free movement of goods and animals, raising concerns about the consistent enforcement of biosecurity and regulations across borders. Additionally, the frequency of outbreaks over the past decade suggests that current management strategies may need to be revisited or supplemented for better disease prevention.
Some Member States, like the UK, have taken a proactive approach to protecting their herds by introducing import restrictions affecting personal imports of meat and dairy products from EU member states. Meanwhile, discussions within the EU are ongoing to strengthen animal health strategies by fostering a more collaborative partnership between veterinary professionals and the animal health industry.
In conclusion, while the EU has taken steps to address FMD outbreaks, there is a need for greater proactivity and coordination across its member states to more effectively manage the risk of disease spread. Agricultural communities affected by FMD outbreaks, like the family-owned Agrocontract Mikulas dairy farm in Slovakia, are urging for rapid and appropriate government support to cover their costs and secure their livelihoods.
[1] https://ec.europa.eu/food/plant/animal/diseases/notices/val opera_bulletins/2025/2025-03-11_en.pdf[4] https://www.efsa.europa.eu/en/news/antimicrobial-resistance-animal-health-resource-offers-strategies-farmers-and-policy-makers[5] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/foreign-travel-advice/italy#:~:text=From%2020%20February%202022%2C%20the,are%20fully%20vaccinated%20against
- The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Slovakia has raised concerns about the EU's ability to manage this disease effectively, given the open borders and common market that facilitate free movement of goods and animals, potentially hindering consistent enforcement of biosecurity and regulations across borders.
- The Slovakian farm, Agrocontract Mikulas, which boasts a large number of livestock and produces substantial amounts of milk, is under extreme stress due to access restrictions and strict disinfection procedures implemented in response to the FMD outbreak in their region.
- Challenges in achieving better disease prevention and minimizing financial burdens for affected farms prompt discussions within the EU on strengthening animal health strategies through partnerships between veterinary professionals and the animal health industry, as well as proactive measures like the UK's import restrictions on personal imports of meat and dairy products from EU member states.
- In the realm of medical-conditions and health-and-wellness, it's crucial for governments to provide rapid and appropriate support to farms like Agrocontract Mikulas, ensuring they can recover from outcomes like FMD outbreaks and maintain their livelihoods to promote overall well-being in the agricultural sector.
