The European Commission has reaffirmed its firm stance against the spread of Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD), confirming that the disease will remain classified as a Category A disease under EU animal health law, with no plans to alter protocols or recategorise it. Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi, in a response to a parliamentary question from MEP Oihane Agirregoitia Martínez (Renew), stated that the classification is based on scientific evidence from EFSA, the EU Reference Laboratory, and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and mandates Union-level intervention and immediate eradication measures, including whole-holding depopulation.
The response comes amid a broader EU focus on animal disease prevention and control. On April 20, the Commission cited EU law on lumpy skin disease, noting alignment with WOAH standards and EFSA assessments deeming control measures effective and proportionate. That same day, the EU banned live sheep and goat exports from Greece over a pox outbreak, invoking Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687, as well as Commission Implementing Decision 2024/2207. Earlier, on April 17, the Commission clarified that no notification of a general import suspension from Greece had been received, following reports of a Greek blanket ban on live small ruminant imports from all EU member states, which impacted Spanish and French breeders.
The Commission's stance on LSD echoes the preventive approach urged by animal health groups on April 9, when a joint One Health Summit statement called for a shift from reactive to preventive measures, citing €700 million in EU pledges to the Global Fund and €46.5 million for health security. Industry partners, including FEFANA, urged treating animal disease prevention as a strategic investment, highlighting 547 million poultry losses from HPAI (2023-2025) and a €1 billion German cost from FMD in 2025. On April 15, Executive Vice-President Minzatu proposed EU support for veterinary specialisation in livestock to tackle shortages, responding to concerns from MEP Veronika Vrecionová.
Várhelyi's response also noted that the Commission supports member states financially through the Single Market Programme and the Common Agricultural Policy, though the burden of containment—such as mandatory depopulation—poses serious challenges for livestock producers and local economies. The Commission does not plan to alter the classification or protocols, prioritising stringent disease control over easing measures. This policy direction underscores a trade-off between public animal health security and farmers' operational viability, with stakeholders including livestock farmers, national authorities, and EU regulatory bodies closely affected. The formal reply, delivered within expected institutional timelines, signals a long-term commitment to controlling LSD spread with no immediate protocol relaxation, amid evolving disease challenges linked to climate change.