Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001501/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Paolo Inselvini (ECR), Carlo Fidanza (ECR), Francesco Ventola (ECR), Nicola Procaccini (ECR), Sergio Berlato (ECR)
The spread of foot-and-mouth disease in Slovakia and Hungary, with some cases even being reported on the border with Austria, constitutes a real risk for Italy. Although the disease is not dangerous to humans, it is highly contagious among farm animals and can cause serious economic damage.
In 2024, Italy imported tens of thousands of live animals from countries now affected by the outbreaks. With the arrival of Easter, which is a key period for sheep and goat imports, there is a heightened risk of the virus spreading.
Given the alarm among farmers, and bearing in mind their legitimate concerns, can the Commission answer the following questions:
- 1.What preventive measures will it take, in this and other similar cases, to limit the spread of these diseases and the ensuing economic damage?
- 2.Is it envisaging a tightening-up of border controls and a review of the European rules on animal biosafety and traceability in the light of the increasing frequency of these health emergencies?
- 3.Has financial support been envisaged for livestock farms which suffer direct or indirect damage linked with the spread of the virus?
Submitted: 11.4.2025