The subdelegate of the Government in Ourense, Eladio Santos, met this morning with José Ramón González, Félix Porto and Carlos Basalo, responsible for Unións Agrarias, to address the evolution of epizootic hemorrhagic disease (EHE) in the province.
After Medio Rural reported this week that the Galician regions affected by this plague were increasing by ten, Eladio Santos expressed his personal concern, as well as that of the Government of Spain, for the livestock sector, which is key and is suffering significant economic losses.
The subdelegate recalled that it is the autonomous communities, in the case of Galicia through the Ministry of Rural Environment, that are competent in matters of livestock and, therefore, it is the Xunta, in the first instance, responsible for activating aid to the sector.
The evolution of the disease since 2022, the date of its beginning in Spain, is being predictable, so the autonomies can take the measures they consider appropriate in terms of prevention or financial aid for medicines or treatments.
For its part, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is acting as a liaison and coordination agent between the communities and, in compliance with the commitment expressed last May during the Extensive Livestock Forum held in Toledo, the Government of Spain has prepared, pending the final parliamentary procedures, a Royal Decree to complement the aid to farmers, compatible with those provided by the regional, European and local administration. This will be retroactive in order to facilitate the lines of support that articulate the autonomies.
Santos also recalled the commitment of the Ministry to develop a vaccine, which is already available, and the provision of the communities of the Central Veterinary Laboratory of Algete, to collaborate with the regional laboratories.