Unió de Pagesos demands the Government implement a "shield plan" for animal health against swine fever

Unió de Pagesos de Mallorca demands that the Government make a "shield plan" for animal health against Pthis African Swine (African Swine Fever) and other threats such as avian flu, with the aim of "protecting native breeds," as explained by the farmers' union in a statement. Thus, the agricultural organization is making an "urgent" appeal to the Government to "immediately enact and implement" preventive and reinforced animal health and protection measures, based on the experience of other crises. "We cannot allow the Administration to stand idly by. The protection of our native breeds, which are part of our history and our rural identity, must be an absolute priority. We are suffering from bluetongue and we see how nodular dermatosis threatens cattle. Now, ASF and avian flu are a serious threat," stated the Secretary General of Unió de Pagesos, Sebastià Ordines.

The organization demands, among other measures, that biosecurity be strengthened through the mandatory and subsidized implementation of top-level protocols on all farms (pig, poultry, and cattle). They also demand increased rigor in health inspections and strict control of livestock movements entering the Islands from outside, as well as the allocation of sufficient financial and human resources for early detection and rapid response to any sign of an outbreak.

The agricultural union has offered its assistance to the Government in defining and implementing these urgent measures and expects an immediate and decisive response from the relevant departments to protect the islands' native animals. The agricultural organization expressed its "deep" concern about the "potential" threat that African swine fever (ASF) poses to the islands' pig population, especially to local varieties and native breeds such as the Mallorcan black pig. "The black pig is a genetic treasure, and our semi-extensive hens produce high-quality eggs. These systems, despite being traditional, are the most vulnerable. Investing in animal health today, learning from past mistakes, is the only guarantee for the survival of our small families and the continuity of the production model. Establishing border controls for live animals is the best option to prevent any introduction of health problems to the islands," Ordines emphasized.

In addition to swine fever, Unió de Pagesos warns of the risks that avian flu could pose to the poultry sector. "In Mallorca, many small and medium-sized chicken farms operate in a semi-extensive system with access to the outdoors, a system that, while more respectful of animal welfare, makes them more vulnerable to contact with wild birds, potential vectors of the disease," they noted.