Colm Burke (Cork North-Central, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

1838. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the action his Department is taking to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of lumpy skin disease in view of the prevalence of this disease in Europe this summer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [47325/25]

Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Following recent outbreaks of lumpy skin disease in France and Italy, my Department has engaged in a targeted communication campaign to highlight the risk of lumpy skin disease and raise awareness among farmers, veterinary practitioners and other stakeholders of its clinical signs in cattle. 

This was done by providing updates on the disease at meetings with cattle industry stakeholders, and widespread distribution of a briefing document on the disease which includes a visual guide to clinical signs and guidance on how to report suspect cases. This briefing document was circulated to veterinary practitioners, farm organisations, industry groups, other stakeholders, and has been put on the Government website at the link below. 

I urge cattle farmers and veterinarians to familiarise themselves with the clinical signs of the disease and to report any suspect to their Regional Veterinary Office or, outside of office hours, to the National Disease Emergency Hotline on 01-4928026 without delay.

Further information on lumpy skin disease can be found on the Government website at: Lumpy Skin Disease