Status: 18.09.2024 17:17
Numerous sheep and cattle in Lower Saxony have already died from bluetongue disease. The disease has spread rapidly since the summer. Animal owners can now apply for financial assistance.
There are certain rules for the allocation of funds, as the Lower Saxony Animal Disease Fund announced. Aid will only be given to those who have vaccinated all sheep and goats in the herd over the age of three months against the disease – and at least three weeks before they were infected. In addition, the number of animals that have died must be so high that it represents an “unreasonable hardship” for the owners. In concrete terms, this means that they have at least 25 percent more dead animals than usual due to bluetongue, but at least five deaths. If this is the case, animal owners receive 90 euros per dead sheep and 60 euros per goat.
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For dead cattle, the fund pays 1,000 euros
The rules are slightly different for dead cattle: they must also be vaccinated against bluetongue. However, basic immunization is only given after a second vaccination – livestock owners can apply for money if their cattle die within the second week after the vaccination. The “unreasonable hardship” mentioned above only occurs when at least three cattle have died. In addition, bluetongue must be proven. 1,000 euros is then paid for each dead cattle.
Animal disease fund criticizes state of Lower Saxony
Until now, animal owners had not received any money if their animals died from the disease. The reason: the animal disease fund actually only pays if the authorities have ordered the killing of animals in order to contain an epidemic. There is no such order for bluetongue. However, because the number of cases of infected animals has risen rapidly since the summer, the animal disease fund decided to provide so-called hardship aid. The money comes from the animal owners themselves – because they pay into the animal disease fund. The state of Lower Saxony has not yet promised any financial help, criticized Ursula Gerdes, chairwoman of the animal disease fund.
Hardship aid was already available in 2023
According to the Lower Saxony Ministry of Agriculture, the animal disease fund had already granted hardship aid for losses of sheep and goats due to bluetongue disease in December 2023. At that time, no vaccine was available. When that changed in June, it was initially decided to only subsidize the vaccination with 3 euros per animal.
Small mosquitoes transmit the disease
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The disease, which is particularly dangerous for ruminant animals, is currently spreading in Germany. Questions and answers on the subject. more
Since the summer, bluetongue disease has been spreading rapidly in Lower Saxony. In the district of Stade, 300 sheep died in one week, and in the Heidekreis, almost 60 farms are affected. Recently, the carcasses could only be collected with a delay due to the high number of dead animals. The carriers of the disease, small mosquitoes known as gnats, were able to multiply quickly due to the warm, humid weather, according to the veterinary association. The problem is that a new type of bluetongue disease is currently spreading, for which there is still no specifically approved vaccine. However, the responsible federal ministry has approved three existing vaccines in an expedited procedure. The veterinary association and the state sheep breeding association recommend that animals be vaccinated as soon as possible. This means more costs for the animal owners: they receive a subsidy for the vaccine, but they have to cover the veterinary costs themselves.
More information
In the Stade area, around 360 animals died within a week. The district speaks of an “exceptional situation”. (16.09.2024) more
In Lower Saxony, more and more animals are affected by the disease and dying. A shepherd from Hude also fears for his existence. (11.09.2024) more
According to the Ministry of Agriculture, there were 90 cases this year – around half of them within the last four weeks. The reason is the weather. (July 23, 2024) more
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NDR 1 Radio MV | Current | 18.09.2024 | 17:00
