The NIK has checked the functioning of measures aimed at protecting the consumers against infectious animal diseases (i.e. epizootic safety) in Poland. The technical base of veterinary services, especially at border crossings, is compliant with the binding regulations. In the years 2007-2009, customs services prevented 212 consignments of animals, milk and eggs that did not meet safety requirements from entering the territory of Poland. The State Fire Brigade also proved to be appropriately prepared for supporting veterinary inspection services in case of an animal disease outbreak.
Audits carried out in entities situated in places other than border checkpoints did not find irregularities, either. Poland is not threatened with mass animal infectious diseases outbreaks. Animal diseases that are particularly dangerous to humans, such as bovine tuberculosis or brucellosis, have been eradicated successfully. While fight against many other illnesses, such as rabies, leukaemia or Aujeszky’s disease, has proved to be effective, too. The number of salmonella infections in poultry has also decreased, although in this respect Poland has not met the EU recommendations yet.
During its audit on epizootic safety, the NIK found several shortcomings that can sometimes have dangerous consequences. They mainly stem from negligence. For example, the NIK found 11 cases when customs officers had not sent consignments to veterinary checks although they should have done so (at border crossings in Bezledy and Koroszczyn). NIK auditors also observed that some consignments were sent for tests with delays, the longest of which was 42 days. Such delays can be dangerous. In one case, a delay concerned an animal infected with glanders and its meat was supposed to be sold for consumption.
Local veterinarians frequently failed to inform the veterinarian at the higher regional level of diseases that should be fought - in nine out of fifteen audited cases (in all audited local veterinary inspectorates). At least one of those cases was potentially highly dangerous: due to that negligence, a dairy was not informed of leukaemia found in a herd of milking cows. The NIK also finds it alarming that the Chief Veterinarian has not developed plans for combating certain exotic animal diseases, the occurrence of which in Poland is potentially possible, although not highly probable.
The audit of epizootic safety that the Polish NIK conducted was part of an international project. Similar audits were carried out by the SAIs of Lithuania and Slovakia. The eastern borders of these three countries are simultaneously the external border of the European Union and the Schengen Area. The joint report developed after these audits positively assesses the epizootic safety level on this border.
