The crisis stemming from the imminent threat of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in Romania has escalated as the National Federation Pro Agro, along with other farmers’ organizations, has filed a lawsuit against the Romanian Government, the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA), the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The lawsuit accuses these authorities of inaction and failure to implement preventive measures.
Ionel Arion, President of Pro Agro, announced the legal action during a press conference, criticizing the authorities for their superficial handling of a significant risk to Romanian livestock. He stated, “We have filed a lawsuit against the Government, ANSVSA, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Ministry of Agriculture to compel the court to enforce necessary measures, given the authorities’ incapacity to act. In the last seven years, two million pigs have been culled. What will we do if it’s the cows’ turn?”
Farmers claim they have previously warned authorities and proposed concrete measures to protect livestock, but their concerns were ignored. Arion highlighted that only Mureș County has taken proactive steps by organizing an intervention plan and consulting with local officials and animal breeders. Elsewhere, no response plans are in place. “ANSVSA has become an accountant, merely reporting the number of infected animals, those culled, and the funds disbursed, without any national plan or simulations,” Arion added.
The situation in Slovakia, where FMD has spread rapidly and remains uncontrollable even with military assistance, serves as a stark warning. Arion emphasized that the question is no longer “if” but “when” the virus will reach Romania and how the country will respond. He questioned, „Even with military intervention, Slovakia cannot control the virus. What will we do without any national plan?”
Another serious concern is the inconsistency in administrative decisions. Farmers point out that while local milk production faces restrictions, there is a significant influx of raw milk imports from other countries, posing a high risk of contamination. “Every day, 50 trucks carrying foreign milk arrive at a factory in Brașov, using the same equipment as those from Romanian farms. This is a massive risk and shows a total lack of coherence,” Arion noted.
The farmers’ legal action, represented by RUS, CATANICIU & ASSOCIATES – a professional civil law firm from Cluj-Napoca – seeks immediate measures, including:
- Banning the entry of potentially contaminated products, including milk, into the country, regardless of the recipient.
- Establishing urgent disinfection systems at all border crossings, especially those from Hungary, to minimize the risk of FMD entering Romania.
- Initiating immediate steps to ensure vaccine stockpiles are available to prevent a potential outbreak.
The lawsuit underscores the critical importance of food security as a component of national security. It warns that without prompt and effective measures, Romania could face a devastating FMD outbreak, leading to the mass culling of livestock and severe disruptions in the food supply chain.