MKS: Situation in Slovakia has stabilized

Miroslav Kačmarčík's Experience During the Recent Outbreak

Miroslav Kačmarčík and his family manage a small Slovak farm with 30 cows and 150 sheep with offspring. The animals graze on a small area of 40 hectares of permanent grassland, about 350 km away from the outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease.

Stabilization of the Situation in Slovakia

In addition to his farming duties, Kačmarčík works as an advisor at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. He was part of the crisis management team and reports that the situation in Slovakia has stabilized. A second round of sampling of susceptible animals in the affected areas was carried out, with all results coming back negative.

Loss of Livestock

Kačmarčík mentions that the Ministry of Agriculture compensated Slovak small farmers for livestock losses. There are disinfection mats and gates at the border with Hungary. Livestock farmers are on high alert, especially those who keep dairy cows.

Impact on Livestock Industry in Slovakia

Currently, there is only around 100,000 dairy cows left in Slovakia. The foot-and-mouth disease has decimated 8,400 head of livestock, a significant loss for the already low livestock population. Pig breeders are increasingly having difficulty selling their pork, as slaughterhouses do not want them. Even small agricultural businesses selling products directly from the farm are facing sales problems.

Possible Origin of Infection

In Slovakia, it is believed that the infection came from Hungary. However, how it reached Hungary is unclear. Investigations into the introduction of the disease into Hungary are ongoing, but there is reluctance in sharing information from Hungary, as reported by the insider.