Czechia Bans Animal Transport from Hungary, Imposes Border Control with Slovakia

Prague, March 10 (TASR-correspondent) - In response to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Hungary, the Czech Republic is implementing emergency veterinary measures, including a ban on the transportation of any animals from Hungary to the Czech Republic, with inspections to be conducted by the State Veterinary Administration (SVS), police, and customs officers starting from midnight on Monday to Tuesday (March 11), the Czech Agriculture Ministry reported on Monday. The SVS implemented initial measures last Friday (March 7), banning the transportation of animals from Hungary and Slovakia, with the exception of animals being transported directly from Slovakia to slaughterhouses. According to the updated measures, the transport will be conditioned on a certificate, which also applies to the import of animal products. Without the certificate, the entry into the Czech republic won't be allowed. "Transporters will primarily be required to allow inspections and, upon request, provide documents confirming the disinfection of vehicles against animal diseases, as well as documents for the transported animals. If necessary, they will allow inspectors to take samples, and after the transport is completed, they will again need to disinfect the vehicles," Czech Agriculture Minister Marek Vyborny said at a press conference. The disease is a viral infection affecting cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and other cloven-hoofed animals. The virus spreads easily through direct contact and the air and can quickly infect entire herds. Humans can further spread the virus through agricultural machinery, footwear, clothing, and vehicle tires that have come into contact with the virus. The mortality rate is usually low, but the infection causes fever, loss of appetite, excessive salivation, blisters, and other symptoms in animals. lin