France: Pest/Disease Occurrences. Half of France Hit by Blue Tongue Disease, Cattle Exports Impacted, 2007. GAIN Report Number FR7034

摘要

Since detection of the first cases in northern France in August 2006, the Blue Tongue Disease has swiftly spread southward, affecting more than half of France to date. The disease has negatively impacted the French cattle industry, blocking exports valued at 965 million ($1.4 billion) of live animals in 2006, mainly to Italy. With more flexible EU regulations, exports may resume soon. In the meantime, French Ministry of Agriculture released 13.5 million ($20 million) in subsidies to French cattle farmers and intends to vaccinate animals in the spring of 2008.