Spain extends regional lumpy skin disease controls until November 30, 2026
The extension was published on November 3 in the Boletín Oficial de Castilla y León (BOCyL), the region’s official gazette, and took effect on October 31. The Consejería de Agricultura, Ganadería, Medio Rural y Política Ambiental approved the continuation of precautionary measures to maintain epidemiological surveillance. Authorities have described the course of the disease in Spain as favourable, while the regional government considers continued prevention necessary to reduce the risk of the virus entering and spreading.
The resolution retains the conditions applied in previous months, including checks on certain cattle movements alongside veterinary surveillance and farm biosecurity requirements. These arrangements govern the movement of animals as well as preventive practices at livestock establishments. Fairs, competitions, markets and other livestock gatherings may continue, provided organisers and participants meet the preventive conditions set out in the regulations.
Requirements also remain applicable to cattle arriving from areas covered by emergency vaccination programmes. Depending on the circumstances, these animals may be subject to checks by official veterinary services. Insect-control treatments may also be required for both the cattle and the vehicles transporting them. These provisions form part of the existing system of controls that the regional authorities have maintained through the extension.
Lumpy skin disease is a notifiable viral infection affecting cattle, including animals kept for milk production. Infected cattle can develop skin lesions, fever and deterioration in their general condition, with possible effects on productivity. The disease also carries commercial risks because animal-health restrictions can limit livestock movements. For dairy farms, such restrictions could complicate the purchase, sale and transfer of cattle, in addition to the potential effects of illness within a herd.
ASAJA Castilla y León urged livestock keepers to maintain animal-health surveillance and comply with preventive measures. The organisation also recommended that any signs consistent with the disease be reported immediately to official veterinary services. Its appeal seeks to enable an early response to suspected infections and prevent a possible introduction of the virus from affecting other holdings. It stressed the importance of continued vigilance and biosecurity on farms.
The resolution keeps the current arrangements in force through the end of November, subject to epidemiological conditions allowing them to continue. Dairy producers in Castilla y León will therefore remain subject to the health checks and biosecurity requirements during that month. The development of the disease will determine whether the authorities consider changes to the measures or a further extension necessary.
