The European Commission has approved the lifting of the ban on cattle movements from Sardinia, caused by the lumpy skin disease outbreak. The green light comes thanks to the island's significant health achievements, particularly its vaccination campaign.

Coldiretti now calls for the Region to immediately issue a formal act lifting the ban on movements, acknowledging the Commission's approval and making the ban fully operational.

"We welcome this first and crucial step by the European Commission, which has approved lifting the ban on cattle movements," exults Coldiretti President Battista Cualbu. "This work is the result of significant synergy, which Coldiretti has always fostered and supported at discussions, and it rewards the efforts of our farmers, whom Coldiretti has always supported along this difficult path. With Europe's approval," he adds, "now the final measure must be issued by the Region, and we therefore ask that the next step be made immediately within the next few hours."

Europe's favorable opinion, Coldiretti adds, "above all recognizes the hard work of Sardinian farmers who, despite logistical challenges, costs, delays, and inconveniences, promptly followed all health guidelines, completing a comprehensive and complex vaccination campaign. As Coldiretti emphasized in local meetings, vaccination was the way to demonstrate to Europe the strength of Sardinia's prevention system and regain the conditions for moving animals. Sardinia has, in fact, achieved one of the highest vaccination coverages in Italy, a crucial factor in discussions with the Ministry and the European Commission. This concrete response has convinced the European institutions and must now be translated into the Region's final measure."

Coldiretti Sardinia director Luca Saba agrees: "This green light is a crucial step and proves that the efforts made have not been wasted and that the path we've taken, through local meetings and shared recommendations, has given Sardinia credibility," he says. "Now we await the regional act to restart a sector that has suffered enormously. Our thanks go to the farmers, to the Ministry, particularly Dr. Filippini, and to the regional health authorities, including the Department of Health, who have supported Sardinia in its discussions with Europe."