Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-001819/2024
to the Commission
Rule 144
Marion Maréchal (ECR)
Since autumn 2023, European livestock farms, most notably in France, Belgium, the Netherlands, the Czech Republic, Germany, Luxembourg and Italy, have been battling a new and aggressive wave of bluetongue. This disease, which mostly affects ruminants (cattle, sheep and goats, etc.), has caused around 23 000 sheep and 36 000 cattle to die in Belgium[1]. Meanwhile, in France, 1 929 outbreaks are currently recorded by state services.
Although the Belgian Minister for Agriculture, Anne-Catherine Dalcq, said on 23 September 2024 that she had activated all EU levers, the lack of coordination between the Member States (late initiation of vaccination campaigns) has contributed to the epizootic disease spreading.
In view of the above:
- 1.What EU levers have actually been activated by the agriculture ministers of the countries concerned?
- 2.Has the Commission examined the shortcomings in coordination between Member States that caused the delay in taking prevention and protection measures?
- 3.Will it mobilise the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) crisis reserve to support farmers that are struggling, and will it maintain all CAP support, despite the decrease in livestock populations?
Submitted: 25.9.2024
- [1] Figures from the Belgian Federal Ministry of Agriculture communicated on 19 September 2024 during the plenary session of the Chamber.