The outbreak of nodular dermatosis in Navarre has shaken the Basque livestock sector

The spread of contagious nodular dermatosis (DNC) has raised all the alarms. Although in the Basque Country no caseshave yet been detected , organizations have increased preventive measuresin France and Girona (withmore than 2,000 cattle slaughtered ).

The GovernmentofNavarre has decidedto ban all fairs, competitions and concentrations of animals  (except for dogs and cats)until 30 November  due to the deterioration of the epidemiological situation in France. New foci have been detected in the departments of Jura, Ain and Pyrenees Oriental and inGirona about 20 positives  have been confirmed in connection with the irregular movement of animals.

The DNC is a viral disease transmitted by insects that does not affect human beings, but if a single infected specimen is detected it is forced to kill the entire farm. "European regulations leave no room for manoeuvre," the veterinarians stress. This obligation is of concern to the sector and warn of the serious economic consequences of its arrival in the Basque Country.

In Gipuzkoa, the Provincial Council has convened an emergency meeting this Thursday in Zizurkil with farmers to analyse the evolution of the outbreak and coordinate the response. In Bizkaia, in areas where there are many farms, such as the Karrantza Valley, preventive vaccination has been speeded up.

"It's a serious disease, but mortality only reaches 5%, so the total sacrifice seems excessive to me," says veterinarian Iker Eletxigerra, who has more than 25 years of experience in Carranza. He also recalls that the virus spreads through insect bites and that, although it affects production, it does not pose a danger to human health.

While Cantabria has suspended livestock meetings, the Basque Deputies do not intend to do so for the time being, and the livestock auction scheduled for this Sunday in Aia (Gipuzkoa) will be maintained.

In Navarre, the Livestock Union has asked the Foral Government to exempt possible aid for forced homicides from the IRPF, given the growing concern about possible losses caused by the spread of the disease.

The primary sector of the Basque Country faces days of uncertainty, with the evolution of the outbreak on the other side of the border and with the aim of preventing nodular dermatosis from reaching the Basque Country .