In Savoy, distraught breeders in the face of nodular dermatosis

“It is sure that we will go there”: his cows are vaccinated on Saturday against the nodular dermatosis which thrives in the two Savoy, but Benoît Mugnier fears the euthanasia of his herd if a case is detected, a test already suffered by other breeders.

It is in his town. For example, in Entrelacs, that the first case of this contagious disease affecting cattle and not transmitted to humans savoy, distraught breeders face nodular new was detected on June 29, before it spread quickly. Similarly, As of July 17, 27 households were listed in Savoy (17 only in Entrelacs) and Haute-Savoie (10 out of 4 municipalities).

To limit propagation. However, the State has decreed the systematic euthanasia of any herd with a sick cow, arousing anger and protest in bisses concerned and part of the agricultural world.

Vector insects – Savoy, distraught breeders face nodular new

So every day Benoît Mugnier inspects his 30 cows by expecting “at the worst”: with flies. Meanwhile, tales – the disease is transmitted by spicy insects – numerous in its stable, and without the possibility of installing a ventilation system, he assures it: “it is sure that we will pass, we are cooked”.

Like 285. Furthermore, 000 cattle in the south-east of France, its animals will benefit from the vaccination campaign launched since Friday, but they will have to wait 21 days savoy, distraught breeders face nodular new before the protection is fully effect.

If a case is detected in the meantime. Moreover, put it at the foot of the wall “,” I do not know how I will react, I do not know, “admits the 36-year-old breeder, who lives from his milk processing workshop.

Blockages – Savoy, distraught breeders face nodular new

Two kilometers as the crow flies. on green heights giving sight of the Alps, Pierre-Jean Duchêne, whose exploitation was affected by two cases, refuses euthanasia of 70 of his cows, a measure which he deems “drastic”.

Tractors. vehicles decorated with banners “Stop with massacres”, “guarded cows, saved peasants” block all access to his farm, where breeders, neighbors and friends take turns to support him for a week.

“We are not there to fight against the state. we are there to try to defend our herds,” insists the 28 -year -old breeder, buyer of family exploitation, for whom savoy, distraught breeders face nodular new “struggle” must remain “calm”.

Convicted condemned

On Wednesday. the prefect of Savoy Vanina Nicoli condemned “intimidation acts” against veterinary services on two farms and denounced “irresponsible” blockages which “participate in the spread of the disease”.

But there has not been “development on other animals to date”. argues Pierre-Jean Duchêne, who awaits the results of tests on two cows to, he hopes, prove the good health of the herd. In the meantime, all have been “confined” for three weeks in a large stable equipped with fans.

“What is deplorable is that if we had not blocked the access of the farm last Thursday. there you would see an empty building,” he explains in front of his animals producing milk for raclette, tomme and emmental. He criticizes the state services for not having anticipated the disease, already appeared elsewhere in Europe.

Fever. lymph nods and nodules

Viral disease, savoy, distraught breeders face nodular new nodular dermatosis (DNC) leads to “significant production losses” which can go “until the death of part of the infected herd” (approximately 10%), explains the Ministry of Agriculture. The disease causes fever in particular, fall in lactation, enlarged lymph nodes and nodules on the skin and mucous membranes.

A few hundred meters further. Claude Germain’s farm also remains in a suspended stay: he “saved” around thirty of his cows which were to be euthanized on Friday morning, after a surprise turn of the State services faced with an administrative summary and the mobilization of supporters to breeders, including rural coordination.

“But there is always the sword of Damocles” because the herd remains concerned by the measure. drops the breeder, tested by this situation “very hard to live”.

At 59. this Savoyard who worked all his life on his exploitation and knows “nothing else” will not be able to savoy, distraught breeders face nodular new reconstruct a new herd, a work of several years or even generations to improve genetics and amortize costs.

“Extremely painful”

Several breeders of the commune of Entrelacs (made up of hamlets) have already lost their livestock. In Haute-Savoie. in Rumilly, a farm that refused the euthanasia of its herd finally resolved to this radical measure after the detection of a new case.

“It is obviously extremely painful” because “it is a work of several generations that goes away. ” reacted their support on the spot Stéphane Gallel, spokesperson for the peasant confederation, which denounces systematic slaughter.

The FDSEA for its part welcomed a “responsible” decision. the total euthanasia remaining the most “effective” strategy to stop the epizootic according to the union.