MKS: Federal Army Begins Assistance Mission in Lower Austria

In Lower Austria, the Federal Army's assistance mission for disinfection measures at the border due to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Slovakia and Hungary starts on Monday. Also, today the previously criticized regulation, which aligns the import restrictions against FMD with EU law, has come into effect. "There is no relaxation," emphasized Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP) in this context.

A blanket import ban is no longer permissible under European law and has therefore been restricted to affected areas - with a high level of protection and ongoing control, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. The regulation was coordinated by the Ministry of Health with all relevant ministries and the affected stakeholders (such as the Austrian Chamber of Agriculture).

Federal Army Completes Assistance Mission in Lower Austria

In Lower Austria, 28 soldiers are taking care of disinfection mats at the crossings in Hohenau (Gänserndorf district) and Berg (Bruck an der Leitha district). All test results, including in Burgenland, have so far remained negative. The disinfection mats at the open border crossings in Lower Austria to Slovakia were previously maintained by the road service. On Monday afternoon, the Federal Army is set to take over this task, informed the Military Command of Lower Austria. The assistance mission to support the health authorities in the districts of Gänserndorf and Bruck an der Leitha was requested by the state last week.

According to the office of Regional Councillor Susanne Rosenkranz (FPÖ), no positive test results have yet occurred in Lower Austria. The controls at the border proceeded without problems, according to the police upon inquiry.

In Burgenland, the monitoring program continued at the beginning of the week. There is still no positive case, according to the crisis team of the state upon APA inquiry. The construction directorate is in the process of moistening all disinfection mats at the border crossings. Except for those at the motorway border crossings Kittsee and Nickelsdorf, where the soldiers of the Federal Army take over this task, with materials from the construction directorate.

Criticism and Appeal from Haider-Wallner

The criticism from Deputy Governor Anja Haider-Wallner (Greens) of the new regulation from the health ministry led by the Social Democrats, which came into effect on Monday, remained. This regulation stipulates that the import ban now only applies to animals and animal products that come directly from the areas affected by foot-and-mouth disease in Hungary and Slovakia.

Haider-Wallner appealed to the public to avoid traveling to the affected areas as much as possible. Animals, meat and meat products, raw milk, and raw milk products are potential carriers of the highly contagious disease and should not be transported across the border under any circumstances.

The Ministry of Agriculture stated regarding the adjusted regulation that the state crisis mechanisms have been activated. "There is no relaxation and strict controls will continue," emphasized Agriculture Minister Norbert Totschnig (ÖVP) in a statement to the APA. The import bans remain in place and are now specifically targeted at the affected disease areas in Hungary and Slovakia based on current EU law. The goal is clear, "to prevent the introduction of the virus - and to be able to react quickly in case of emergency to stop a spread" - the protection of family farms and their animals is the top priority for the federal government.

"No Relaxation"

Already on Sunday, the health ministry led by the SPÖ stated that the new regulation means "no relaxation." ÖVP National Council member and Lower Austrian Chamber of Agriculture President Johannes Schmuckenschlager nevertheless described it as "insanity." Burgenland's Chamber of Agriculture President Nikolaus Berlakovich (ÖVP) - Minister of Agriculture from December 2008 to December 2013 and thus a predecessor of Totschnig - and Burgenland's Deputy Governor Anja Haider-Wallner (Greens) demanded its postponement "at least until the end of the Easter travel period."

(APA/Red)

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