The Generalitat began paying compensation to farmers affected by contagious nodular dermatosis in Alt Empordà this Tuesday, where the disease was declared on October 3rd. More than 2,500 heads of cattle have been sacrificed in the area, according to farmers' own estimates.
First Payment and Compensation Schedule
The Minister of Agriculture, Òscar Ordeig, has detailed that before December 31, 4.8 million euros will be paid to 13 farms. The remainder, 1.5 million, will be paid in January to the four remaining farms. The measure seeks to alleviate the economic losses suffered by farmers after the health crisis.
"Before December 31, a total of 4.8 million euros corresponding to 13 farms will be paid. And in January, the remaining 1.5 million will be paid to the four farms that will be pending" - Òscar Ordeig, Minister of Agriculture
Mobilizations and Sector Response
The crisis management has led to protests in the region. This Monday, farmers blocked the Eix Transversal with their tractors to demand a better response from the Administration to health situations like the current one. Pressure from the sector has been constant since the outbreak was detected
Restrictions and surveillance in affected areas
On December 26, restrictions in the Cassà de la Selva area, in Gironès, were officially lifted after it was confirmed that no new cases had appeared and that safety requirements were met. The lifting of restrictions in the Castelló d'Empúries area, in Alt Empordà, is scheduled for January 8. A part of the territory will remain under surveillance and restriction, as it is included in France's protection zone, where new outbreaks have recently been detected near the border.
"A part of the territory will remain under surveillance and restriction as it is integrated into France's protection radius" - Òscar Ordeig
Control Measures and Vaccination
Epidemiological surveillance remains active to adapt any safety measures to the evolving situation in the coming weeks. The emergency vaccination plan, initiated in mid-October, has involved administering treatment to 152,895 heads of cattle in the restricted areas of Girona and to another 369,323 animals in Lleida, Barcelona, and Huesca as part of a preventive vaccination program.
The control of the outbreak has been possible thanks to the professionalism and collaboration of the farmers, as highlighted by councilor Ordeig.