Foot and Mouth Disease in Cyprus and Greece
FMD outbreaks in Cyprus have continued to increase, with the total number of infected holdings 102, according to local media. Two of the findings were in pig units.
43 outbreak outbreaks have now been reported in Greece. Over 8,000 animals have been culled with the priority to prevent spread to mainland Greece.
Lumpy Skin Disease outbreak in Sardinia
There have been 3 confirmed cases of LSD in Sardinia. One of the cases was confirmed in a herd of 148 cattle. 5 calves who had not yet been vaccinated tested positive following reports of symptoms. According to Italian colleagues, all adult animals on the farm had been vaccinated and the vaccine is effective. The positive calves were not unexpected.
MEPs accuse Várhelyi of failing to protect animal welfare
A group MEPs led by Green MEP, Tilly Metz, a co-rapporteur of the animal welfare during transport file, wrote to Animal Welfare Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi arguing that the Commission is not fulfilling its animal welfare obligations. The MEPs accuse the Commission of failing to ban CO2 stunning for pigs, routine tail docking of pigs and exports of live animals to the Middle East and North Africa.
Netherlands to lower animal transport temperatures
The Dutch Government has confirmed that it intends to ban the transport of farmed animals when temperatures exceed 30°C from April 2027, other than in ‘conditioned vehicles’. The current threshold is 35°C. In addition, the Dutch Government intends to make camera surveillance mandatory in slaughterhouses and increase fines for violations of animal welfare legislation.
Commission approves €1.3 billion for rewetting peatlands
The European Commission has approved a €1.3 billion German scheme to support landowners and land managers of drained peatlands that commit to rewet their land. The scheme will support measures for the permanent and extensive rewetting of peatlands and for the subsequent agricultural use of peatlands in paludicultures. The aid will take the form of direct grants and will cover up to 100% of eligible costs.
Commissions consults on non-organic feed derogation
Last week, the Commission published a ‘Have Your Say’ notification on the 5% non-organic protein feed derogation. The Commission is preparing a delegated act proposing to extend the derogation for young poultry and pigs to ensure their needs in specific amino acids are covered during their growth. We do not know if the derogation will be permanent or temporary. Adoption of the legislation is planned for Q3 2026.
Fuel support for farmers in Germany and Ireland
The German government has announced a €1.6 billion fuel price relief package for consumers and businesses. The government will reduce energy taxes on fuel for a period of two months. In Ireland, the government have announced further reductions in excise duty on fuel and a €100 million Fuel Subsidy Support Scheme for the agriculture and fisheries sectors covering the months of March to the end of July.
Commission consults on Temporary Crisis Framework
The European Commission is gathering the views of Member States on a draft proposal for a State aid Temporary Crisis Framework to support the EU economy in the context of the Middle East crisis.
The draft proposal under consultation proposes to allow Member States to grant temporary support for exposed sectors and an increased maximum aid intensity for the electricity costs for energy-intensive industries.
