Small cattle disease/Farmers: The plague came from uncontrolled imports

2025-07-01 16:43:00, Sociale CNA

The Veterinary Service Agency has undertaken several awareness-raising actions with farmers in rural areas to limit the further spread of the disease in sheep.

"For 4 days now, we have started meetings with farmers in cooperation with the local government. These meetings are being held with the heads of administrative units and village elders. The essence is to raise awareness among all farmers about the importance of limiting the spread of this disease. At the moment, the only solution is to block the movement of animals and farmers must be clear about this, as they must be kept isolated on the farm and avoid contact with other farms. The introduction of new animals into the farm is strictly prohibited, as is their exit. So far, we have found understanding from farmers. The difficulties on farms are great because the restriction also brings problems in finding food," said Andi Bilali, Director of the Shkodra Regional Veterinary Service Agency.

This is a difficult moment for farmers. They say they have never encountered this disease in their livestock and suspect that the spread of the plague is due to the illegal import of animals from other countries into Albania.

"I have 150 small sheep. We have taken the measures because the sheep are in isolated stables and we do not take them out to graze due to the disease that has spread. We are afraid because this disease was brought by the state itself, not because we had it. The cattle come from Montenegro, from Greece and from everywhere at a time when we have always had clean cattle. I think this has only come about because of the imported cattle. Now I do not move them from the country, the veterinarians have come and seen them and so far I am fine," the farmers say.

"I have 180 sheep. So far we have not had any risk. We have taken our measures to keep them separate so as not to mix them. There is nothing else we can do. I neither buy nor sell because I raised that herd myself. Currently they are fed on pasture because we have separate meadows and no one enters my meadows. I am 72 years old and I have never known this disease, I have never heard of it before," the farmers say.

So far, there has been no decision on compensation for sheep destroyed after the outbreak of the plague.

"At the moment there is no such DCM because it was not foreseen and this is a disease that is coming to Albania for the first time. The Ministry of Agriculture has taken this part with great commitment and seriousness and relevant studies are being carried out and most likely financial compensation will also be provided to the farms where the sheep were destroyed," said Bilali.

Currently, 475 small animals have been destroyed in the Shkodra region, approximately in a month, since the first case of sheep plague appeared on a farm in Postriba. A preventive measure for further spread is the isolation of farms and controls by institutions on the ground. /CNA