SVPS to Relax Measures against Spread of Foot-and-mouth as of Wednesday

Bratislava, May 19 (TASR) - The State Veterinary and Food Administration (SVPS) will relax some of the measures against the spread of foot-and-mouth disease as of Wednesday (May 21). Among other things, vets will lift the ban on transporting susceptible animals throughout Slovakia and will allow all zoos to open, according to an announcement published by SVPS on its website. The ban on the import of animals susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease originating from farms in another zone in Hungary, which was declared restricted by a European Commission Regulation of 27 April 2025, will remain in place until 30 May. Restrictions concerning checks, records and hygiene regarding entry to farms that breed susceptible animals will also remain in force. Circuses are obliged to notify the respective regional veterinary and food administration of a list of planned performances, listing the locations, dates and times of individual performances at least three working days before the first planned show. Animals transported within Slovakia must be accompanied by a document for further breeding in Slovakia confirmed by the respective regional veterinary and food administration, confirmation of a clinical check with a confirmed negative result of clinical symptoms of foot-and-mouth and a negative result of a blood test for the presence of antibodies against the foot-and-mouth virus. Animals intended for slaughter must also have information about the food chain. The requirements for blood tests don't apply to animals intended for slaughter transported from farms in Trencin, Zilina, Banska Bystrica, Kosice and Presov regions. ko/df