The Walloon agricultural organisation Fugea will hold a protest at 11:00 on Wednesday in Namur, calling on authorities to take “strong measures” to control an outbreak of bluetongue disease, which has led to the death of thousands of sheep and cows.
The bluetongue virus has been ravaging livestock in Wallonia for some two months. According to Fugea, the damage is “very significant,” especially among sheep herds, but cattle and goats are also affected. Farmers face numerous issues, including reduced milk production, abortions, and decreased fertility in their animals.
By the end of August, the epidemic had killed 36,219 cows and 23,656 sheep.
Fugea is calling for compensation for vaccines and screenings. On Wednesday, the farmers’ organisation plans a symbolic action in central Namur to “highlight the losses on farms.”
