Following recent demonstrations, the French government announced steps to make farmers’ life easier, including increased compensation for cattle producers stricken by Epizootic Haemorrhagic Disease (EHD). On February 5, the Ministry of Agriculture issued directives enabling farmers to obtain compensation equal to 90% of the value of their livestock. They may also apply for comparable compensation for veterinarian fees, pre-transportation, and other examinations. The Department of Agriculture has set aside €50 million for losses incurred by farmers and livestock merchants as a result of temporary prohibitions on live cattle export to Spain and Italy.
Despite the sluggish spread of EHD in France, the number of affected farms is approaching 4,000. Since the discovery of the first infected animals in September of last year, 3,812 fresh instances have been reported, with 20 locations afflicted. The bulk of these instances are in the south-west of the nation, along the border with Spain, which has also seen an EHP outbreak. The preventive zones surrounding affected farms now stretch as far north as Normandy, along the Channel, and east to the Indre area. The Department of Agriculture in Paris is continuing doing research on afflicted farms to determine the death rate and other aspects of the EHD pandemic.
