28 March, 2012

The European Commission has suggested that any plans to create trade restrictions or additional certification requests for livestock as a result of the Schmallenberg virus (SBV) are "disproportionate".

It also believes they would be "scientifically unjustified", despite SBV having infiltrated some seven countries so far.

In the UK and Europe alone, some 2,622 cases have already been confirmed, according to farmersguardian.com. Germany has seen the most cases arise in its livestock, with France, Belgium, the UK and the Netherlands following closely behind. The virus is transferred to livestock via infected midges and can cause severe harm to an animal's health.

However the commission remains resolute that placing restrictions on livestock trade would be unjust. In fact, farmingnewsdaily.co.uk revealed: "The EU remains united and strong on this issue and further steps are being undertaken by the Member States to keep the situation under constant assessment."

The states are also keen to "fill the knowledge gaps" using "targeted" scientific analysis of the disease. The EU will co-finance this, the report confirmed; although it is not known who would represent the other co-funder.

Part of the commission's argument is that data captured so far shows no reason to deal with SBV any differently to how similar viruses - such as the Akabane virus - were in the past.

Source: Vertical Leap