Cattle imports from Spain banned after outbreak of lumpy skin disease

THE Department of Agriculture (DA) said it imposed a temporary ban on cattle products from Spain, following an outbreak of lumpy skin disease (LSD) in Catalonia.

The ban covers live cattle and water buffalo, as well as cattle products like semen and embryos for insemination, and rawhide.

Spanish veterinary authorities confirmed the outbreak in early October to the World Organization for Animal Health.

Low-risk commodities like milk and dairy products, gelatin, collagen, tallow, hooves, horns, processed hides, skeletal muscle meat and blood derived meat are exempt from the ban.

While not contagious to humans, LSD causes cattle to lose weight, reduces milk production, damages hides, and causes infertility.

Agriculture Secretary Francisco P. Tiu Laurel, Jr. said the ban is to protect “local cattle and water buffalo.” — Andre Christopher H. Alampay