Health Ministry Defends New Regulation on Foot-and-Mouth Disease

A new regulation set to take effect on Monday, which modifies import restrictions related to foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), has sparked significant criticism. The Health Ministry, led by Minister Korinna Schumann and State Secretary Ulrike Königsberger-Ludwig, issued a statement asserting that the new regulation does not represent a relaxation of controls.

According to the Ministry, the regulation is targeted specifically at areas where there is a verified increased risk of FMD. The previously broad import ban on certain animal products from Hungary and Slovakia will now be restricted to specific regions designated as protection, surveillance, or other restricted zones according to EU disease regulations. The Ministry emphasized that this decision was made in close coordination within the government.

"The current regulation has been jointly agreed upon by the Health and Agriculture Ministries and focuses the import ban on genuine risk areas," a spokesperson stated. Recent recommendations from the Agency for Health and Food Safety (AGES) have led to heightened biosecurity measures, including targeted border closures and stricter hygiene protocols. The spokesperson highlighted that blanket import bans would not hold up under EU law and could economically impact regions within Austria.

The regulation, which comes into effect on Monday, is designed to safeguard the agricultural sector based on scientific data. It aligns with EU regulations and has been approved at the government level. Despite the Ministry's claims of a coordinated effort with the ÖVP-led Agriculture Ministry, strong criticism emerged from within the People's Party (ÖVP). Johannes Schmuckenschlager, a National Council member and President of the Lower Austrian Chamber of Agriculture, labeled the regulation as "nonsense."

He argued that instead of tightening measures in response to the increased Easter travel, the opposite approach is being taken, describing it as grossly negligent and irresponsible to farmers. Both Nikolaus Berlakovich, President of the Burgenland Chamber of Agriculture, and Anja Haider-Wallner, Deputy Governor of Burgenland from the Greens, echoed these concerns. They jointly called for a postponement of the planned easing of import regulations for animals and animal products from Hungary and Slovakia until at least the end of the Easter travel period.

Critics assert that the new regulation will render border controls "virtually impossible," with Haider-Wallner stating, "At this current time, it is not responsible." The Health Ministry countered these arguments by clarifying that should an outbreak occur in eastern Austria, other EU member states might classify all of Austria as a restricted zone, affecting regions like Vorarlberg, which currently pose no risk.

The implications for the dairy industry could be severe, prompting the need for nuanced regulations grounded in factual evidence that comply with EU law. The Ministry reiterated that these differentiated rules are essential to protect the agricultural community while adhering to legal standards.