The Council of Ministers approved on Tuesday, on the proposal of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the distribution of 1,373,669 euros to Cantabria, framed in the heading of 23 million euros for the Spanish livestock sector of aid to compensate the expenses caused by Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHE), finance the National Programme for the eradication of bovine tuberculosis and the purchase of vaccines against bluetongue serotype 8.
By royal decree, the regulatory bases of the aid have been established to compensate the livestock sector for the economic damages caused by the EHE. In this regard, the distribution of funds worth 15 million euros between the autonomous communities has been authorized to combat losses due to this disease, of which Cantabria corresponds to 1,089,548 euros.
The aid will be intended to compensate for the loss of animals, for the disinsectation of farms and for the veterinary costs incurred by the farmer to combat this disease, including disbursements for the purchase of vaccines for those farmers who decide voluntarily to use it.
With these grants, the Government reinforces with national funds the aid established by the autonomous communities to combat this disease, which will mobilize additional funds, up to a total of 30 million euros, since these are measures that must be cofinanced at 50%.
Commitment to epizootic hemorrhagic disease
In this way, the Government fulfills its commitment announced at the National Forum on Extensive Livestock Farming, held in Toledo in May, to launch a national programme of economic support for farmers affected by the EHE.
Epizootic hemorrhagic disease appeared in Spain in 2022 and has had a significant impact on cattle in most of the country throughout 2023 and 2024. It is a mosquito-borne disease that does not affect people and can cause the death of animals, although the average mortality is around 1%.
To combat it, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food also committed itself at the aforementioned forum in Toledo to work with pharmaceutical companies, to make an effective vaccine available to the sector. The government’s impetus has made this vaccine available since last August and can be used on a voluntary basis.
Bovine tuberculosis
The Council of Ministers has also authorised the territorialisation of EUR 7 million to support the National Programme for the Eradication of Bovine Tuberculosis, of which EUR 284,121 is earmarked for Cantabria.
In this way, the Government complements the financing of the European Union and ensures the proper functioning of a basic programme for public health and for the health of livestock farms.
Likewise, the Government has approved the distribution of funds to the Autonomous Communities for the National Programme for the Eradication of Bovine Tuberculosis in the Autonomous Community of Castilla y León, in the amount of 578,816 euros, to cover 50% of the total expenses incurred.
It has also authorised the allocation of 513,685 euros to support 50% of the cost of vaccination of bluetongue serotype 8 in Catalonia.
The ratification of the distribution between the autonomous communities of the funds to compensate the expenses caused by the EHE, such as those for bovine tuberculosis and the blue language, will take place this afternoon at a meeting of the Sectoral Conference chaired by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas.
With these measures, the Government contributes to maintaining the high sanitary level of the Spanish livestock, recognized worldwide, which allows Spanish products to be present in markets around the world.