As concerns about the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) intensify across Europe, farms arefortifying their biosecurity measures to secure both livestock and the agricultural sector.
In Estonia, prominent agricultural establishments, like the Andri-Peedo goat farm in the Võru County near the Latvianborder, proactively combat the threat by restricting any visits to protect against introducing FMD.
Similar precautions have been taken by another critical agricultural site, the Nopri farm, which isclosed to visitors and not participating in this year’s Open Farms Day to mitigate any risks associatedwith the potential pandemic.
Tellingly, Tiit Niilo, an Estonian farm owner commented, “The appeal of agri-tourism, where thepublic is invited to understand the process from field to plate, is outweighed by the looming threat ofa pandemic.” Since the global Covid-19 experience, people are now better able to comprehend the dangerof contagion and its potential consequences.
Farms across the region have already introduced a series of biosecurity protocols, including heightened foodsafety standards, restrictions on livestock movement, and enhanced employee hygiene practices.
Although the Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture has confirmed the continuation of theOpen Farms Day, the participation of livestock remains uncertain, depending on the ongoing threat of FMDand the effectiveness of biosecurity measures.
Moreover, in the Czech Republic, the government has established strict checks at the border with Slovakiato prevent the spread of FMD. Restrictions have led to significant delays at border crossings, particularly at busy points such as Brodské-Břeclav, where traffic jams of up to 17 kilometers have been observed.
The absence of FMD cases within the Czech borders doesn’t reduce the importance of these controls, whicheveryday comprehensively screen goods and comestibles for disease traces.
Thus, as the threat of FMD escalates, farmers, government officials, and transport personnel are collaboratingto slow down its spread.
Source: https://www.euronews.com/my-europe/2025/04/09/estonia-and-czech-republic-implement-measures-to-prevent-spread-of-foot-and-mouth-disease
