AM: the duration of the wage guarantee subsidy for livestock farmers affected by foot-and-mouth disease is extended

Hungarian livestock farming is a defining pillar of the national economy: it provides a livelihood for thousands of rural families and plays a key role in the security of the domestic food supply. The government remains committed to helping the livestock farms affected by foot-and-mouth disease to restart as soon as possible, maintain their operations and develop animal health. Farmers received compensation exceeding HUF 5 billion in total. Within the framework of the prevention tenders, livestock keepers can apply for non-refundable support of up to HUF 50 million for mandatory disease control developments. Applications for support can be submitted between September 1 and November 15, 2025, the ministry wrote in its statement. Farmers affected by the Regulation on the Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease will also benefit from the automatic moratorium on lending on farms where animals were killed as a result of the epidemic. The principal, interest and fee payment obligations of the affected farmers will be postponed, thus providing them with temporary financial relief to maintain operations and stabilize their financial situation. The loan related to the Agrár Széchenyi Card overdraft agreements can be used on easier terms, and the Hungarian Development Bank provides financing on favorable terms for livestock keepers – the ministry drew attention. According to the AM statement, Hungary has successfully curbed the spread of foot-and-mouth disease thanks to the government’s measures; the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) restored Hungary’s official free status with effect from September 10.

MTI