Siberian authorities seize livestock after lumpy skin disease outbreaks detected in two villages

Authorities in Russia’s Irkutsk region have begun seizing livestock from residents after detecting cases of contagious lumpy skin disease, and the infected animals will be killed. The Irkutsk municipal district has been under a state of emergency since September 4, the Russian business daily Kommersant reported.

Eight outbreaks have been identified in the villages of Butyrki and Koty, according to Leonid Frolov, the district’s head, who said the suspected cause was the illegal import of sheep and goats. Local media reported that lumpy skin disease was detected in at least 96 head of cattle.

Authorities have promised compensation for the seized animals: 224 rubles per kilogram for cattle, 307 rubles for sheep and goats, and 190 rubles for pigs.

The Russian Telegram news channel Ostorozhno Novosti published a video showing Butyrki residents telling government officials at a meeting that the compensation offered won’t cover their losses. They are demanding full compensation for the value of the seized animals.

The Russian news outlet 7×7 also reported that residents objected to having the livestock destroyed near their homes.

Mass livestock seizures from farmers have occurred repeatedly over the past year. On August 12, authorities in the Tyumen region began seizing pigs from farmers and killing them, citing an unknown but “very dangerous” disease. In the spring, authorities in the Kemerovo region began the mass slaughter of cattle, which they attributed to lumpy skin disease. In February, authorities seized livestock from farmers in the Novosibirsk region; the cause was later determined to be foot-and-mouth disease.