The autonomous communities of the Basque Country, Navarre, Catalonia, Aragon and the Balearic Islands have agreed on the restriction and suspension of livestock movements in their territories to prevent the spread of what is called “blue tongue” disease.
This the pathology affects cows and sheepbut not to humans, with what is called “serotype 8”. In a press release, the Basque Government indicated that the suspended areas They are delimited according to the territorial, provincial and regional scope in accordance with the instructions of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries (MAPA).
Likewise, he clarified that the MAPA table agreement concerning the livestock movementsor from a suspended zone to another free zone, already establishes conditions depending on the type of movement and the age of the animals.
“These conditions will remain in force until the end of the transition period established by the lack of sufficient availability of vaccines in some communities or until the start of the seasonal vector-free period,” he reported.
Furthermore, in order to minimize the risk of disease spreadeven within the territorial, provincial or regional boundaries of the regulated zone, two types of zones or sub-zones are differentiated, of regional scope (OCA) depending on whether outbreaks have been detected or confirmed or not.
More precisely, they are divided into Areas (regions) with detected viral circulationanimals with unfavorable PCR test results; and Areas (regions) with undetected viral circulation, animals with favorable PCR test results or absence of tests performed.
“With the aim of unify travel criteria between suspended zones to serotype 8 originating from Aragon, the Balearic Islands, Catalonia, Navarre and the Basque Country, it is necessary to establish agreed conditions of livestock movements applicable to these transfers”, he underlined.
In this sense, he emphasized that These conditions may be modified depending on the progression of the disease and the availability of vaccines.and after evaluation and agreement of the Animal Health Services of the four autonomous communities participating in it.
ANIMAL HEALTH SERVICES
THE Animal health services of each of Autonomous communities committed to communicating any modification or extension of the suspended zones, as well as the viral circulation zones within the respective suspended zones, based on the detection of new outbreaks of the disease.
Among the conditions for movement of animals between suspended areas of the autonomous communities of Catalonia, Aragon, Navarre, Euskadi and the Balearic Islands, the vaccination schedule involves animals with the complete vaccination schedule and revaccination if indicated according to the technical sheet of the drug.
THE PCR validity (-) It will be ten days. It affects the movements of pastured calves destined for the feedlot, transhumance movements between pastures, including return, breeding or replacement destinations. In addition to other aspects to take into account, vehicle disinfestation is mandatory 48 hours before transfers.
