In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter) on Saturday, Minister Siekierski referred to the state of emergency declared in Slovakia, where new outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease were discovered, as well as confirmed cases of the disease in Hungary.
The minister emphasized that the situation is dynamic and requires extraordinary efforts, with the crisis management team handling the details, which met last weekend to address the issue.
Border blockade and intensified controls
Summarizing the current situation, which he noted is "dynamic and requires special attention," the Polish Minister of Agriculture confirmed that the border blockade with Slovakia will remain in place until the European Commission adopts an executive decision on the matter.
Intensive controls continue in cooperation with the Police, Border Guard, Customs Administration, and Road Transport Inspection. These services are focusing their efforts on key cargo crossings at the Slovak and Czech borders.
Additionally, in Zduńska Wola, located in central Poland, a specialized facility operates around the clock, conducting more than 1,000 laboratory tests per week.
Strengthening cooperation in response to the threat of foot-and-mouth disease
The minister noted that intensifying preventive actions requires broader cooperation with additional ministries, and he intends to push for this right after the upcoming briefing with services, which he plans to conduct together with Małopolska Governor Krzysztof Jan Klęczar at the Chyżne border crossing on the Polish-Slovak border.
Warning against bargain prices amid foot-and-mouth disease risk
The head of Poland’s Ministry of Agriculture also urged farmers not to take advantage of "bargain prices," warning that heavily discounted goods, animals, and products pose a significant risk during this time.
The politician highlighted that the virus can spread over long distances and be transported through products such as fresh meat, milk, manure, and straw from both domestic and wild hoofed animals.
In response to the threat of a possible outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Poland, the Ministry of Agriculture announced on social media that a crisis management meeting was held over the weekend to coordinate protective measures.
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Source: PAP/IAR/X/@CzSiekierski/@MRiRW_GOV_PL