The emergence of transmissible animal diseases, in particular zoonoses and non-zoonotic diseases, poses major challenges for small and medium-sized livestock farmers across Europe. The complex interactions between animal health, environmental changes (such as changing weather patterns, land use changes and loss of biodiversity) and economic viability threaten the livelihoods of countless farmers, especially small- and medium-scale farmers.
In light of these challenges, European Coordination Via Campesina (ECVC), which represents small- and medium-sized farmers across Europe, urges the European Union and Member States to take immediate action, particularly in the face of the recent outbreak of diseases such as bluetongue, epizootic haemorrhagic disease (EHD), sheep pox, goat pox, peste des petits ruminants (PPR) and African swine fever (ASF).
These measures are summarised below:
- Immediate Financial Compensation for Small and Medium Livestock Farmers' Losses Caused by Non-Zoonotic Diseases: The European Union must activate the crisis reserve under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and additionally rural development funds to provide financial support to farmers adversely affected by disease outbreaks. These compensations should target those suffering the most from the impact of disease on their animals and must be accessible to all small and medium-scale livestock farmers ensuring that no farmers are excluded from essential support due to differing national regulations.
- Full Coverage of Vaccination Costs for Small and Medium Livestock Farmers: States should fully cover all vaccination costs for any serotype and disease, ensuring equitable access to preventive measures for farmers
- Full CAP Payments and Compensation for Livestock Losses Due to Force Majeure: The widespread loss of animals due to disease outbreaks constitutes a clear case of force majeure. In such circumstances, small and medium scale livestock farmers must not face any reductions in their CAP payments under the Sheep and Goat Aid. We demand that the EU and Member States ensure full payment of aid, without adjustments or reductions, to all affected livestock farmers.
- Preserving Genetic Diversity in Livestock: The EU and Member States must prioritise preserving genetic diversity in livestock to enhance disease resistance and agricultural resilience.
- Environmental and Territorial Costs: Precautionary Measures and Vector Control: Climate change is worsening the spread of vector-borne diseases, and small and medium farms, especially on grasslands, are particularly vulnerable to diseases due to insect exposure. Member States need stronger precautionary measures, including vector control, enhanced disease monitoring, and expand veterinary services including for the blue Tongue disease which is not considered priority for the emergency veterinary control measures. Increasing the capacity of veterinary services is essential to prevent and manage animal diseases effectively, ensuring food safety and animal welfare.
- Territorial Reorganization of Livestock Farming in Europe through a Just Transition: The transition toward small- and medium-sized livestock farming should be supported by CAP policies to reduce the concentration of animals and promote local feed self-sufficiency. Territorial reorganization of livestock farming is key to reduce the environmental impact of industrial farming, prevent disease outbreaks, and limit trade practices that worsen the climate emergency and spread diseases.
- Supporting Extensive Free-Range Farming: EU and Member States should prioritise support for extensive free-range livestock farming, which is more resilient to disease outbreaks. The mass confinement of animals on large industrial farms has contributed to the rapid spread of diseases. Free-range farming often suffers due to the health crises caused by these industrial models.
- Agroecological Approach for Food Sovereignty and Security: We advocate for an agroecological approach to enhance food sovereignty and security, ensuring access to quality food for all European citizens.
- EU and National-Level Collaboration for Long-Term Support: Increased collaboration between Member States and the EU is essential for providing long-term support, including research and development of vaccines for existing disease threats.
Member States must put the needs of small-scale farmer organisations at the heart of the action taken to ensure an adequate response is delivered according to each country and context. Similarly, the EU must recognise its role and responsibility to tackle this issue and ensure immediate and coordinated action at the national and European level, due not only to its agricultural competences but also the impact of international trade models on the transmission of animal diseases.
The health of our livestock and the economic stability of our farming communities depend on swift and effective measures being taken, and ECVC and its farmers remain available to collaborate on this matter.
Contact information
Andoni Garcia Arriola
ES, EUS
ECVC Coordinating Committee
+34 636451569
Morgan Ody
EN, FR
ECVC Coordinating Committee
+33 626 97 76 43
Pierre Maison
FR
ECVC Coordinating Committee
+33 615 731389