Romanian sheep farmers protest export ban amid disease restrictions

Around 5,000 sheep and goat breeders are set to demonstrate on Thursday in front of the National Authority for Veterinary and Food Safety (ANSVSA) and the Romanian Government in Bucharest. The protest, organised by the Association of Sheep and Goat Breeders, seeks to lift the ban on exporting live ovine animals that was imposed after an outbreak of peste (a disease affecting small ruminants).

Farmers say the restrictions have forced them toward bankruptcy, with many lambs left unsold and unable to be fed for the winter. Petronela Pricochel, a spokesperson for the association, warned that "people are on the brink of bankruptcy" and demanded the immediate resumption of exports, compensation for losses, and the resignation of the ANSVSA president.

ANSVSA officials say they are working to relax the measures, limiting them to affected zones and are in talks with the European Commission to revise the restrictions. Interim Agriculture Minister Barna Tanczos has asked the EU for financial compensation for the affected farmers.