English Section

Poland resumes animal transport checks at German border amid FMD threat

04.04.2025 17:00
As of April 4, Poland has resumed checks on animal transports at the German border due to concerns over foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), with additional inspections for feed and hay vehicles.
A veterinary checkpoint at the former Polish-Slovak border crossing in Barwinek, southern Poland, is active as of April 3, 2025, conducting inspections and measures in response to the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) threat.
A veterinary checkpoint at the former Polish-Slovak border crossing in Barwinek, southern Poland, is active as of April 3, 2025, conducting inspections and measures in response to the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) threat.Photo: PAP/Darek Delmanowicz

The decision was made following a crisis management meeting in Szczecin in response to FMD outbreaks in Slovakia and Hungary.

Authorities will inspect vehicles transporting cattle, pigs, goats, sheep, and certain animal by-products, feed, and hay.

As confirmed by Teresa Kubas-Hul, the Governor of the Podkarpackie region, Poland has opened the largest epizootic warehouse in the country in Przeworsk, located in the southern part of the country. "This facility will be a key support in the fight against infectious animal diseases, such as FMD," the politician added.

Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is a contagious viral disease that affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle and pigs. The last recorded case of FMD in Poland occurred in 1971. 

"We must understand that foot-and-mouth disease is a contagious and highly infectious disease that spreads easily over long distances. Cattle, pigs, sheep, and goats are the most vulnerable to infection," emphasized the Polish Ministry of Agriculture on social media.

On April 3, 2025, a veterinary checkpoint at the former Polish-Slovak border crossing in Barwinek, southern Poland, began conducting inspections and measures in response to the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) threat. Photo: PAP/Darek Delmanowicz On April 3, 2025, a veterinary checkpoint at the former Polish-Slovak border crossing in Barwinek, southern Poland, began conducting inspections and measures in response to the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) threat. Photo: PAP/Darek Delmanowicz

Read more about this topic:

(m p)

Source: IAR/PAP/X/@TKH_Teresa/@MRiRW_GOV_PL