No new outbreak, protection against foot-and-mouth disease continues

stván Nagy, Minister of Agriculture (Photo: AM)

The Minister said that the eradication work has been completed in two of the four farms affected by the disease, and is in progress in two. He highlighted that in addition to the eradication and eradication work, the main emphasis is on preventing the spread of the virus. The affected farms have been sealed off, protective zones have been designated, where vehicles can only enter and exit after disinfection, disinfection points have been set up at border crossings, and from Hegyeshalom to Esztergom, you can only drive on or off the M1 motorway after disinfection – István Nagy listed the measures introduced. He added that the settlements of the farms affected by the infection can only be reached after disinfection, and electric fences have been installed around the farms to keep the wild animals away.

The Minister of Agriculture emphasized that the police are helping to comply with the strict epidemiological rules

He also spoke about the fact that small farmers are provided with the disinfectants necessary for protection free of charge. István Nagy said that the slaughterhouse processing of the stuck pig herd will begin in the region, the operational team has designated Pápai Hús Kft. for the task, and the scheduling of deliveries will be agreed with the affected farmers.

The minister stressed that he called for a responsible approach in order to ensure effective protection

The recordings made “for various interests” “cause serious damage” – he said, adding that on the one hand, unauthorized intrusions into the settlements pose an epidemiological threat, and on the other hand, the recordings made there can have an effect on people “for which they are not prepared”. What is happening near Csemeztanya is part of a normal biological process, because gases are produced during the decomposition of animal carcasses, which must be removed. Burying the carcasses is a special professional job, and the layer of earth is continuously placed on the carcasses in accordance with the decomposition process – he emphasized. The final, three and a half meter thick layer of earth will form in 10-14 days, and the burial process will be completed then – he added. István Nagy also spoke about the fact that the operational team has confirmed the establishment of monitoring wells at Csemeztanya.

In response to a question, István Nagy said that the area is being designated for the burial of animals from the Dunakilit and Darnózsel farms

Kristóf Gál, spokesperson for the National Police Headquarters, said that compliance with the rules introduced in relation to foot-and-mouth disease is “not only a common sense requirement, but it is the basic condition for effective protection”. Violation of the rules can also be a crime, and proceedings will be initiated against the perpetrators, he added. He said that the police had launched an investigation into the circumstances of the video that appeared on social media on Sunday. He also said that police officers are also present at the farms affected by the infection, monitoring the order of disinfection procedures. He also mentioned that congestion developed at the open Hungarian-Austrian border crossings in the morning. He asked those setting off on the road to pay attention to the constantly updated information on the police.hu website. The Austrian side has been contacted to address the situation, he added.

MTI