The Agricultural Association of Young Farmers (Asaja) of the Balearic Islands has launched a clear request to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Natural Environment: to start the vaccination campaign against bluetongue. bluetongue first attending the sheep farms that register more cases. The measure, as explained from the entity, would allow to contain more effectively the outbreak, which has put in check the local farmers. With this proposal, Asaja stresses the importance of addressing the disease from a strategic and specific approach. “It is urgent that the Govern considers the priority of vaccinating in the areas of highest prevalence of bluetongue, to then extend to smaller native herds,” said the president of Asaja Baleares, Joan Company, who stressed that the supply of 50,000 doses is planned in a first batch, a number that is still short to cover all those affected. In addition, Company warns that the effectiveness of the measure depends on a quick response: “It is the most efficient way to protect the animals and stop the spread.” The Conselleria has assured that the campaign will begin next week and, to provide continuity, has confirmed the arrival of an additional 100,000 doses on December 3, which will allow coverage to be extended to more herds at a later date.
Request
In this context, Asaja also calls its associates to report any outbreak in their farms, recalling that bluetongue has no consequences for human health and, in that sense, the Govern has authorized the transfer of animals to slaughterhouses under certain guarantees: that they present a veterinary certificate and a responsible declaration that guarantees the health of the animals. The Balearic livestock sector remains on alert, in a struggle to contain the outbreak and minimize the impact on their herds and production, while the authorities work to coordinate a vaccination plan to attend the hardest hit areas before the disease spreads.
