Since the end of summer, Haute-Loire has been hit hard by the bluetongue (FCO), with its corollary of harmful consequences on herds, the economy of our farms and the morale of breeders.
Of the 650 breeders in Haute-Loire, 590 have reported the presence of the FCO-8 outbreak in their herd, a variant of a disease known for about ten years. The virus is carried by a midge favored by heat and the presence of water points, which bites the sheep. This infects the respiratory and oral tracts. The animal dies within a few days. “There is practically no chance of survival,” laments Yannick Fialip, the president of the Chamber of Agriculture. “The disease affects 5% to 50% of the herd.”
A vaccine that is on fire
The solution was to bring the sheep inside, depriving them of the meadows at this time of year but to protect them from the midge. Vaccination is the other issue. It is preventive and cannot save the affected animals. The high demand creates a raid and shortages, and a rise in the price. “The vaccine cost €2, it has gone up to €6-8. And it is not reimbursed by the State.”
Cattle also affected
Worrying virus: FCO-3 arrived in the North of France in the spring. “We recommend vaccination. As it is a new disease, the State is taking care of it. And the vaccines are available,” says Yannick Fialip.
The disease is also starting to affect cattle, with losses noted. “We have a drop in milk production and we fear for the fertility of bulls and cows. This will have a boomerang effect, with short and medium term effects. We will have to put in place economic procedures for breeders.”
Conf criticises lack of anticipation
The Peasant Confederation denounces “the State’s lack of anticipation in the management of this crisis”. Its representatives have asked to meet the prefect of Haute-Loire in order to present their point of view and their demands.
The union, a minority in Haute-Loire, demands “support measures for all livestock farms: access and 100% coverage of vaccines for all farmers who wish to vaccinate, regardless of the serotype”. And beyond that, the Conf’ hopes for “anticipatory measures through real work on the disease: monitoring of serotypes and their mutations, research on animal immunity and breed resistance, knowledge of vectors, action on the causes of climate change, taking into account the harmful impacts on beekeepers of the systematic disinfestation policy during FCO episodes”.
The union adds: “With the explosion of viral diseases (MHE, AI, FCO, etc.), French livestock farming is in danger. The response to crises with vaccines is not enough. The eradication of vector midges or viruses is a pipe dream. A global approach to the consequences of climate change on vectors is needed through a long-term policy. Each stable or sheepfold that is emptied impacts a farmer who is already in disarray and fearful of the future for several years.
