MEPs have today questioned the European Commission over its actions to monitor and attempt to limit spread of the Schmallenberg virus, a new livestock virus which has affected a number of European countries. MEPs today asked commissioners what the EC is doing to protect Europe’s farm animals and farmers from the newly discovered disease.

A total of eight member states have been infected with the virus, which has been confirmed on over 2,000 farms in the bloc. Schmallenberg virus was discovered on a mixed goat and sheep farm in Andalusia on 6th March. The discovery saw Spain join Luxembourg, France, Britain, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and Italy as the eighth member state to report SBV infection.

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Although the disease, which can lead to still birth, abortions and congenital abnormalities in foetuses of infected animals, is causing panic in the European livestock sector, the commission said that nothing more can be done to combat SBV until more is understood about it. The virus was first identified in August 2011 and not named until the autumn; as it is not known to have existed for a full year, commissioners said that EFSA scientists can only speculate, observe and try to react to SBV, though they assured MEPs that the EU is doing its utmost to protect farmers and to share information.

Also of concern are speculations that up to ten third countries are planning or have applied for trade restrictions against the EU or states that have reported infections. This has the potential implications for the entire EU livestock industry. Russia, Mexico, Kazakhstan and India have all introduced bans on products from infected countries, although India’s ban only covers dairy products.

MEPs question Commission reaction

The MEPs’ questions for Climate Action Commissioner Connie Hedegaard focused around introducing financial assistance for farmers hit by SBV, ensuring the EU’s response to the growing issue is fast and conducted transparently and developing a vaccine as soon as possible.  

The MEPs also called on the commission to endeavor to end trade restrictions by third countries, which the commission has publicly called “Disproportionate and scientifically unjustified”.

Esther De Langeppe commented on the public reaction to the Schmallenberg situation, saying, “We need action, to protect farmers who are in a state of insecurity, and for citizens who are concerned.” She commented on the fact that with the disease’s growing public profile, concerns are being raised about the possible threat to humans.

Commissioners assured that, due to the absence of a certain genetic sequence, the virus is probably benign to humans. This is supported by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, though the ECDPC said that the possibility it could affect people cannot be ruled out for certain. Commissioner Hedegaard said the EC would make any new developments in understanding public as soon as possible, to keep the European public up to date.

Other MEPs expressed concern about the fallout of the disease in terms of export restrictions. Russia, which was the first country to ban exports from infected regions, has banned imports of pig products as well as products from ruminants, although pigs are not known to be affected by SBV. The Commissioner reiterated that some nations’ responses had been “disproportionate and unjustified based on the current situation” and urged member states to remain calm, stating that a “Measured response from the EU is imperative to avoid a disproportionate response from third countries.”

Simulations on potential spread in 2012

Matthias Groote, an MEP from Germany, believed to be ground zero for SBV, where nearly 1,000 farms have been infected, said the potential for further spread as midges become more active needs further investigation if the EU is committed to halting the disease.  He said this is a matter of concern for the agricultural sector and revealed the European Food Safety Authority has conducted modelling to look at how the virus could spread if it persists in the midge population.

He expressed concern that, although modelling and simulating scenarios has enabled European scientists to track and predict the disease, “This is a new disease and we don’t currently have any measures to combat the virus.” Although there is still much uncertainty surrounding SBV, animal health scientists from Liverpool University have predicted that, due to a number of factors, it could ‘fizzle out’ after one season. Other scientists have speculated it could spread throughout the UK and further afield in Europe.

Although MEPs were in favour of providing support for farmers affected by the virus, they remained divided on whether support should come from European coffers or be the responsibility of individual member states. Germany and Holland already have measures in place for compensation. MEP Martin Hausling Verts expressed concern over lack of aid for farmers suffering now, as the disease, in most cases, is not covered by insurance; he spoke of the “Need to help farmers as this is affecting their livelihood.”

Speculations over cause and effects

UK MEP Julie Girling expressed concern that SBV is the “First totally new virus to be discovered in two decades.” She called for more to be done to identify and combat new diseases, as the effects of climate change are likely to give rise to more such problems. Ms Girling called on the Commission to “Deal with trade restrictions, fast track research on treatment and devise a system to combat and detect new diseases, which will become more prevalent as climate change progresses.”

There were also calls for fundamental changes to farming systems. Some MEPs supported calls for shifts towards smaller, more regionally tailored livestock systems and organic farming, which they claimed would make the spread of such disease more difficult, pointing out that the worst affected countries have largely intensive livestock systems. They claimed a preventative approach to livestock disease and more environmentally sensitive measures would result in a greener and more resilient sector.

Commission responds

Commissioner Hedegaard’s response to the MEPs’ questions and demands was to promise further transparency and efficient updates. She said that guidance documents available on the internet provide all the information currently available on the disease and that these will be updated whenever new developments occur.

She said that transparency had been of utmost importance in efforts so far and that farming organizations and animal health institutions continued to be integrally involved in forming the EU’s response to SBV.

However, when it came to definite action, she seemed less certain; she said that, as the virus is less than a year old, animal health professionals have claimed all that can be done is to monitor the disease and attempt to work on a vaccine, which may still be years away, although she said the EU is supporting research and investigations.

She did offer assurances that the commission will make moves towards ending trade restrictions imposed by third countries, but said she could not speculate further on a vaccine.

She said, “There is a standard procedure for new diseases in place, we have an adequate response and have adopted a coordinated approach. Our response to diseases such as H1N1 and H5N1 demonstrate the satisfactory mechanisms we have. In this case a package of measures has been approved by animal health experts and stakeholders in the eight affected member states; it is proportionate and sustainable.”

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