Nothing can hinder the protection against foot-and-mouth disease

István Nagy, Minister of Agriculture (Photo: drnagyistvan.hu)

The Minister of Agriculture highlighted that when disposing of dead animals, experts take into account all water and geological aspects, from depth to water-tight layers to groundwater flow. He added: it is understandable that no one is happy if even thousands of cattle have to be buried at one location, but based on the investigations, Peresztegen is completely safe. Further ones can only be designated in the knowledge of possible new outbreak points, and if this seems necessary, immediate action must be taken – said István Nagy. Introducing the burial protocol, the Minister called it important to inform and inform the people living in the area. The experts have always drawn lessons from the control measures so far immediately, and they will take immediate action even if the examination of the monitoring wells that ensure the control of the sites designated for burial would justify this, he added. He also announced that after the disinfection and major clean-ups, negotiations with the farmers on compensation issues can begin.

Compensation is also important because concealing the disease can cause greater damage than the full amount of compensation

The state is also committed to developing the epidemic control infrastructure so that the control can be raised to a higher level and similar cases can be prevented, he emphasized. An epidemic like the current one has not been seen in Hungary for almost half a century, and the amount of damage already exceeds 10 billion forints, the Minister of Agriculture said. He announced that he had also taken measures within his own authority to ensure that the affected farms receive the payments due to them as soon as possible. The compensation system is designed to encourage the earliest possible resettlement, but the minister indicated that the full restoration of the stocks will take at least three years.

István Nagy considers it a government duty to examine all information during the epidemiological investigation in order to receive reassuring answers to questions

So far, information has been entrusted to experts, but based on the feedback, it is justified for decision-makers and politicians themselves to personally reassure locals with the settlement leaders – he emphasized. He highlighted that one of the most important lessons of defense is that it is not enough to make rules and regulations, they must also be checked, from the settlement visit book to the verification of contacts. Up-to-date information is needed against the spread of fake news and false ideas – stated the head of the ministry, who at the press conference guaranteed authentic information regarding foot-and-mouth disease. He stated that one of his most important tasks is to force EU partners, through reciprocity measures, not to hinder the export of Hungarian products in general, as such measures can only be applied by member states to the affected zones according to EU regulations. He also asked for the solidarity of Hungarian buyers, especially in the interest of the pig farmers in Győr-Moson-Sopron county, to help the market sale of the completely healthy meat produced there by buying Hungarian meat in stores.

AM