On-site clearance is coming to an end, but protection continues

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István Nagy said that the spread of foot-and-mouth disease has been stopped so far, so there are no new cases in Hungary. The state of emergency has been lifted, and the first stage of the fight against the virus has been concluded. More than 70,000 tests out of 1,115 samples have all shown negative results, but the virus can remain latent for 14 days. Preventing a new outbreak requires compliance with the rules, discipline, and strict adherence to regulations, he emphasized. The government compensation will help the livestock farms restart as soon as possible, the state will assume the wages of the workers there at the expense of the state wage guarantee fund, and the farms will receive a one-year loan moratorium – said the minister. The minister also declared a force majeure situation so that farmers do not have to submit separate certificates for their applications related to the emergency situation, so that their losses can be mitigated as simply as possible. The purchase of pigs has also begun in the affected regions, so that pig farmers cannot be harmed either – he said. István Nagy assessed that the operational team carried out its task decisively and in an organized manner, and he thanked all participants in the defense for containing the virus.

The national chief veterinarian announced that the animal health authority would continue its work, the closure of the affected farms and the restrictive measures would be maintained

Szabolcs Pásztor emphasized that the main role in the defense now belongs to the livestock farmers. He asked that only those whose presence is necessary should enter the farms. They must ensure that their clothing, footwear and work equipment are clean, and vehicles entering and leaving must also be thoroughly cleaned, and they cannot use work equipment, feed or litter from elsewhere. Contact between animals kept on the farm and wildlife must be prevented, so fencing must also be ensured. The authority is tightening inspections nationwide, and violators can expect serious penalties, because individual responsibility in this situation has national economic significance, he emphasized.

Even-toed ungulates are also being examined nationwide, and farmers are asked to report suspicious symptoms immediately

The national police chief announced that the police will also continue inspections in order to enforce public health and animal husbandry rules. János Balogh added that in this situation, the police’s task is to ensure the conditions for protection and maintain public order, as well as to supervise the work of those participating in the protection, and to check their professionalism and efficiency. Based on on-site experiences, the protection so far has been in accordance with the law and effective, but violators can still expect strict police action. Zoltán Somogyi, the Chief of Staff of the Hungarian Armed Forces, Deputy Chief of Staff for Coordination, announced that soldiers have disinfected more than 10,000 vehicles at the relief points. Dozens of samples are taken every day in a special biological laboratory, and their evaluation has shown negative results without exception, said Zoltán Somogyi.

MTI