The Guilcer Union of Municipalities brought together institutional representatives, trade associations, and breeders in Ghilarza for a conference on lumpy skin disease. At the heart of the debate was the interpretation of European regulations governing the culling of infected or at-risk animals. According to some speakers, a more careful reading of the EU directives would pave the way for less drastic solutions than the culling implemented by the Region and Local Health Authorities, which have also been confirmed by the Regional Administrative Court (TAR) and the Council of State, to which breeders have repeatedly appealed in an attempt to save their livestock. The key issue would be the preservation of biodiversity and the protection of breeds at risk of extinction.
The meeting also discussed possible alternatives to mandatory vaccination, raising doubts about the effectiveness of the current vaccine strain, which some scholars believe dates back over 70 years and could generate even more dangerous variants of the virus.
The regional agriculture department expressed satisfaction at having approved over 18 million euros in aid for livestock farmers, but also called on the ministry to provide stronger support for the sector.
At the conference, the Local Health Authority (ASL 5) updated its vaccination program for lumpy skin disease in the province of Oirstano, which is "almost complete."