Strategic support for affected farms
The Department of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Food of Catalonia has implemented a series of measures designed to help livestock farms fighting tuberculosis (TB). These initiatives are divided into three main axes: Support for animal feeding, helping insurance contracting related to obligatory sacrifice, and a repopulation program with additional funding.
Aid for animal feed
The herds of meat that cannot access pastures, including those in research or health recovery, may benefit from grants intended to ensure their diet. This measure seeks to minimize the negative impact of the TB on herds and ensure the well -being of animals.
Subsidies for Insurance
The owners of farms who need to carry out health emptying, as well as those who do not require them, will be able to access grants for the contracting of insurance. The department will subsidize a percentage of the annual quota of insurance for a period of up to three years, thus facilitating their implementation and maintaining the health of livestock.
Repopulation initiatives
For the repopulation of herds, both the Department and the Ministry of Agriculture have established a joint aid that can reach up to 100,000 euros per farm. This novelty includes the option for farms that, despite not having made a health emptying, had to sacrifice animals for negative results in tests. In addition, the age of eligible animals has been expanded in 24 months.
Government Commitment to livestock health
Rosa Altisent, Director General of Agriculture and Livestock, emphasized the importance of maintaining Catalonia free of bovine tuberculosis. Despite the detection of isolated cases, the current data is positive, with a firm government commitment to continue to execute control and eradication programs of the disease.
Catalonia, free area of tuberculosis
In January 2023, Catalonia was declared by the European Union as a officially free area of bovine tuberculosis, thanks to the collective effort of ranchers, administrations and veterinary professionals. This milestone represents more than three decades of work to eradicate the disease.
Wildlife control
In order to face the risk of tuberculosis, the Department has activated population controls in national hunting reserves in the Pyrenees. With the aim of reducing the populations of deer and wild boars, there will be captures for three days, depending on the weather conditions, to minimize the risk of transmission of the disease between wildlife and livestock.
Perspectives Futures
With an underway population control plan that covers 30 municipalities and 160,000 hectares, the aim is to guarantee the health of domestic livestock and prevent any risk of tuberculosis transmission. The measures taken reflect a firm commitment to livestock health and sustainability of the sector.