An eighth cow has just been affected by epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHD) in Ugo Arbelbide’s Blonde d’Aquitaine farm, in Hélette (Pyrénées-Atlantiques). He detected the first case on Wednesday October 11. This pathology, until now non-existent in France, is spreading rapidly in the South-West. In a press release published Friday October 27, the Ministry of Agriculture recorded 2,019 outbreaks, an almost doubling in one week. As for the number of departments affected, it increased from eight to eleven.
The first three outbreaks of MHE were listed by the health authorities in Hautes-Pyrénées and Pyrénées-Atlantique on September 22. Well known in the United States, this viral disease which affects ruminants and is not transmissible to humans, arrived in Europe a year ago. First in Sicily, Sardinia and Andalusia, before expanding into Spain and therefore crossing the Pyrenees to land in France. Transmission of MHE virus occurs only through biting midges.
As soon as it appeared, the Ministry of Agriculture set movement restrictions for animals located within a radius of 150 kilometers around an infected farm. At the end of September, it put in place a protocol to allow the movement within the territory of cattle deemed healthy, any animal required to leave the security perimeter around a home subject to a screening test, after having been disinsected.
“Need state support”
The government has also worked to reopen the Spanish and Italian markets. Transalpine traffic, the most crucial, was restored on Thursday October 12. Knowing that France exports nearly 1.1 million grazers each year to Italy, Spain and the Maghreb countries.
These measures to restore trade flows were eagerly awaited by the cattle industry, worried about a decline in the price of animals. But they are not enough. “Breeders need support from the State, because the health impact on herds is not neutral”assures Patrick Bénézit, president of the National Bovine Federation.
A priori, the animal mortality rate is low, but veterinary costs must be paid. “The cost of care can reach three hundred euros per animal”, affirms Mr. Arbelbide, who, for the moment, has been able to cure his sick animals. Added to this are nearly fifty euros to test each broutard before selling it. The Basque breeder tested six ready for export. Two are positive, without symptoms. He will have to find other outlets for them. “The economic stakes are heavy for breeders, not to mention the psychological impact », concludes Mr. Arbelbide, who is asking for a state aid plan.