14 April 2025

2 minute read

By: Melanie Epp

Europe

Poland’s dairy sector is on high alert as foot and mouth disease (FMD) edges closer to its borders, with confirmed outbreaks in Hungary and Slovakia. Farmers, cooperatives, and government officials are ramping up biosecurity measures to prevent a potentially devastating outbreak.

“Right now, we’re sitting on a ticking bomb,” said Tadeusz Mroczkowski, president of Mlekpol. “It might end quickly with nothing, but it might become very complicated. We don’t know that.”

Mlekpol, one of Poland’s largest dairy cooperatives, processes over 2 billion litres of milk annually from more than 7,500 member farms. With 12 processing plants and significant export operations, the cooperative has introduced heightened safety protocols to protect livestock and supply chains. All non-essential visits to farms have been suspended, and hygiene controls have been reinforced.

“If they discover cases of the disease here, then more cases in Europe, then we will be completely, completely blocked,” Mroczkowski said.

Poland exports approximately 30% of its dairy production, and an outbreak would likely bring international trade to a standstill.

Government officials are echoing the industry’s concerns. Robert Piłat, deputy director for international cooperation at the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, stated that “in some member states—Hungary, Slovakia, and parts of Austria—there are declared cases of foot and mouth disease.” While no cases have been reported in Poland, he stressed the importance of proactive measures.

“The level of attention to the topic has increased… we need to be extra careful,” he said.

FMD is a highly contagious viral disease affecting cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, pigs, and sheep. While it poses no threat to humans, its economic impact on agriculture can be severe. Outbreaks lead to culling of infected and at-risk animals, restrictions on movement, and long-term trade bans.

The FMD threat arrives amid existing pressures on the Polish dairy industry. Producers are already grappling with high energy prices, drought-related challenges, and regulatory changes tied to the European Green Deal. Mlekpol representatives noted that smaller farms are particularly vulnerable and that many have been forced to cease operations.

Meanwhile, the share of milk from larger farms—those producing over 1 million litres (264,000 gallons) annually—is steadily increasing.

Despite these pressures, Mlekpol continues to offer among the highest milk prices in the country, with an average of 2.65 złoty per litre (approximately $10.03 per gallon). Investments in energy-efficient technologies, including cogeneration systems, have helped lower processing costs and maintain competitiveness in international markets.

Still, with foot and mouth disease inching closer, farmers across Poland remain on edge. The livestock they care for—and the markets they depend on—hang in a delicate balance.