The disease is spread by a small fly, the so-called midge, and mainly affects sheep. Cows also get the disease, but die from it less often than sheep.
Adema paints a bleak scenario for sheep farmers. There is currently no vaccine for this variant of bluetongue, and although it is being worked on, it remains to be seen whether vaccination will be successful in the foreseeable future. In addition, affected sheep farmers do not receive compensation for their dead animals. Other livestock farmers, such as poultry farmers, have a solidarity fund if, for example, preventive culling is necessary due to bird flu. But such a fund does not exist in the sheep sector.
‘through everything’
He also expects problems in the future. Due to the disease, sheep are not covered and there are no new lambs. ‘So the entire sheep population is taking a huge hit.’
The minister places his hopes mainly on the changing weather. The midges are mainly active in warmer weather, and as soon as it gets colder than 10 degrees, the population of the gadflies shrinks. Farmers can reduce the number of infections themselves by bringing in their sheep on time or by turning on fans in stables. ‘But it is very limited. Because those animals are so small, they get through everything.’
2023-09-29 15:51:43
#Adema #bluetongue #companies #drama #unfolding
