During the debate on lumpy skin disease (LSD)—which is affecting livestock farms in France—that was held in Strasbourg on Monday, 15 December, MEPs advocated putting a European vaccination strategy in place.
Céline Imart (EPP, French) asked the European Commission whether it was appropriate to slaughter an entire herd as soon as a single case of LSD had been detected. “Can you tell us whether this measure is justified in all circumstances?” she asked. She reiterated that vaccination was not widespread so as to not lose disease-free status. The MEP also advocated creating a European database capable of monitoring the circulating variants and anticipating the outbreak of these diseases as well as implementing large-scale vaccine production in the EU—or, failing that, a massive contractualisation of stocks—and building up an adequate crisis reserve.
Éric Sargiacomo (S&D, French), for his part, indicated that he had faith in the protocol established by health authorities—both at the national and the European levels. “The health protocol based on the depopulation of the affected livestock, vaccination within a sufficiently wide monitoring radius, and biosecurity measures now appears to be the most effective”, he declared.
The MEP also asked the European Commission to allow animals from disease-free areas and their meat to be marketed using their vaccination status and to ensure that markets outside the EU are not closed. He advocated contractualising antigen and vaccine banks as well.
Commissioner for Health Olivér Várhelyi reiterated that LSD requires early, coordinated action and strict measures, which have been set out in European legislation: the immediate slaughter of the infected animals, increased biosecurity, movement restrictions, regionalisation, and vaccination. He emphasised that vaccination is essential but that it cannot replace other measures. While acknowledging that there are differences depending on the species (pigs, cattle, poultry), he was in favour of preventive vaccination. “For this to happen in the bovine sector, we therefore also need to move together with our international partners to ensure a level playing field when it comes to our external markets,” the commissioner explained. In conclusion, he stated that the EU offers Member States support with rapid access to vaccines. (Original version in French by Lionel Changeur)