UPA-UCE Extremadura warns of the "critical situation" of sheep due to bluetongue due to the "abandonment" of the Regional Government.

The agricultural organization UPA-UCE has warned of the "critical situation" the sheep sector is experiencing, with an "alarming and continued decline" in livestock and farm numbers driven by bluetongue and other "structural, economic, and social" factors.

These include a lack of profitability , high production costs, a lack of generational change, as well as a lack of labor and structural tools, which are exacerbating the "deterioration" of farms, according to Antonio Prieto, the organization's Livestock Secretary, in a press conference this Tuesday.

Regarding bluetongue, he recalled that it had already been experienced in 2024 and that the administration "has learned nothing or is hiding it very well," since the health situation due to this disease is "catastrophic."

Thus, he points out that this year it has already been present in July, while in 2024 it was from late September to early October until December. Furthermore, last year the animals were not vaccinated because the serotypes 3 and 8, which were new, were unknown. However, this year, despite vaccination being voluntary, the "vast majority are vaccinated or are being vaccinated," and "even so," the incidence in some regions, such as Castuera, Cabeza del Buey, Peñalsordo, Monterrubio, Herrera del Duque, Don Benito, and Plasencia, is "extremely high" and with "dramatic consequences."

In addition, mortality, abortions, costs and expenses for insecticides, repellents, and anti-inflammatories are "high," between 6 and 8 euros per animal .

The organization points out that "not only is the animal lost, but also all lost profits," and depending on the number of deaths, "it jeopardizes the viability of the farm."

This is leading to a drop in milk production , which has fallen by between 8 and 10% and in some cases by as much as 50%.

Prieto indicated that the virulence of the serotype is "very high," the same as last year, so farmers "feel abandoned by the administration and desperate about the situation they are experiencing."

Given this situation, UPA-UCE wonders "where is the administration?" since they don't know the actual incidence or the serotype affecting each area, since "on vaccinated farms, mortality is quite high."

Livestock farmers, he adds, don't know if the government is conducting "any investigation," nor whether or not they have vaccines for the entire herd. "We don't know if many herds are vaccinated, what serotypes are vaccinated, and how long the vaccine's effect lasts. We don't know if denying that there is a high incidence is a joke."

For all these reasons, UPA-UCE has requested a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, and Sustainable Development to request information and, "above all, solutions to this chaotic situation," as well as to ask her to "take charge of this problem, which appears to be even more serious than last year."

Furthermore, they demand that "the necessary resources" be provided to address the "ruin" that some farms "possibly" face, and that "a budget be allocated not only for dead animals, but also for the expenses that farmers are incurring," as well as that this budget be open to covering animal health.

Finally, they are calling for increased prevention, surveillance, and control measures , as well as for the guaranteed supply of vaccines. They urge livestock farmers to notify veterinary services of their dead animals, abortions, and other circumstances so they can have a "real picture of this serious situation" and ensure they are not left out of the aid they are seeking.