Slovakia Imposes Import Ban on Animal Products from Cyprus and Greek Island of Lesbos

Slovakia's veterinary authorities have issued emergency measures banning the import of unprocessed animal products from Cyprus and the Greek island of Lesbos due to outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in those areas. The State Veterinary and Food Administration, which oversees animal health and food safety in Slovakia, implemented the restrictions as a precautionary measure to prevent the highly contagious livestock disease from entering the country. Foot-and-mouth disease affects cattle, pigs, sheep, goats and other cloven-hoofed animals, causing severe economic losses to farming operations and requiring strict containment measures when outbreaks occur.