Sutaj Estok Announces Inspections at 93 Large Farms at Outbreaks

Bratislava, April 6 (TASR) - Around 93 large farms near six outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease will be inspected from next week to ensure compliance with current regulations, Interior Minister Matus Sutaj Estok (Voice-SD) stated following the meeting of the central crisis management team on Sunday. The checks will be carried out by representatives of the State Veterinary and Food Administration in cooperation with the Police Corps, the army and members of the Financial Administration. The current measures are not being adhered to by some farmers and large ranchers, according to the interior minister. "We're forced to set up so-called entry checks within ten-kilometre radiuses during the next week in the six outbreaks where the disease is now. We'll carry out entry checks at 93 large farms," he pointed out. First deputy chairman of the Slovak Agriculture and Food Chamber Emil Macho specified that the farms that will be subject to inspections have cattle or pigs with more than 50 heads. "There it is necessary to comply with the measures to 100, 120 percent, I'm glad that the police have decided for the inspections," he said, adding that the current days and weeks are crucial to prevent the spread of the disease. He urged politicians and public figures to exercise restraint in expressing and commenting on current events and the measures being taken. "Please leave it to the experts, respect their opinion," he urged. Agriculture Minister Richard Takac (Smer-SD) told the farmers that in case of findings of non-compliance with the regulations of the State Veterinary and Food Administration, these farms won't be financially compensated if they are affected by foot-and-mouth disease. Sutaj Estok further informed that there is currently no suspicion of the spread of foot-and-mouth disease to more outbreaks. Takac added that no smallholders have tested positive for foot-and-mouth. The contagion has been confirmed at six farms to date in villages in southern and western Slovakia: Medvedov, Narad, Baka, Luc na Ostrove, Plavecky Stvrtok and Jurova. It is a serious, highly contagious and febrile viral disease among livestock with significant economic impacts. The government has declared a state of emergency in response to the disease covering the entire territory of Slovakia. am