Poland tightens checks on animal product imports over foot-and-mouth disease risk

Poland will introduce stricter controls on animal product shipments at airports and seaports to prevent any outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), the agriculture ministry has said.

Illustrative photo.

shutterstock/Fabiano's_Photo

A crisis management team at the ministry decided that if outbreak zones are confirmed in neighboring countries, Warsaw will temporarily suspend or limit cargo carrying live animals, animal products, manure, straw, or hay.

Currently, transit of live animals is permitted only at 10 designated border checkpoints.

Polish authorities will also monitor online livestock markets, searching for any FMD-susceptible species offered for sale.

Additional sites are being identified for potential disposal of infected animals, and equipment resources are being expanded.

Despite no confirmed FMD infections on Polish territory, the government maintains restrictions on cloven-hoofed livestock from infected areas in neighboring Slovakia and Hungary.

FMD is highly contagious and typically requires culling all animals on affected farms.

(jh)

Source: IAR