Romanian sheep and goat farmers protested in Bucharest against restrictions imposed due to peste de petits ruminants (PPR)

The Romanian Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA) has banned the export of live small ruminants – sheep and goats – to other countries in the European Union and the transport of live animals throughout Arad and Bihar counties, following a new outbreak of plague in the Gepiu region of Bihar County on March 5, in line with the European Commission’s decision of March 14.

According to the farmers who marched outside the government headquarters, the export ban, which was introduced during the most important sales period for them, the weeks before Easter, could bankrupt 80 percent of farmers.

According to breeders interviewed by Digi 24 news television, last year they were able to sell live lamb for around 25 lei (2,000 forints) per kilogram, but now they can only export to Arab countries, at a maximum price of 17 lei, and this may decrease further after the Easter period.