Czechia lifts ban on Hungary and Slovakia
Starting Sunday, Czechia will lift its ban on the import of live animals, feed, and non-heat-treated animal products from Hungary and Slovakia, the Czech State Veterinary Administration announced on Friday in Prague.
The Czech authorities introduced the measures to prevent the possible spread of foot-and-mouth disease, which appeared in Hungary and Slovakia in the spring, into Czechia.
From Sunday, importing these products into Czechia will no longer require a veterinary certificate, Petr Vorlícek, spokesperson for the State Veterinary Administration, told journalists.
The Czech authorities made this decision following renewed negotiations with Hungary and the European Commission, the spokesperson noted. The dangerous disease has not appeared in Czechia.
“We continue to monitor the epidemiological situation very closely and will respond immediately to any new issues. Several emergency measures remain in place, and we are continuing milk inspections in regions near the Slovak border,” said Zbynek Semerád, Director General of the State Health Authority, at a press conference.
According to Agriculture Minister Marek Vyborny, checks on trucks and lorries at the Czech border are also expected to be lifted by the middle of next week.
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