Novosibirsk Region Declares Emergency Amid Cattle Disease Outbreak and Farmer Protests

The Novosibirsk region of Russia has declared a state of emergency to address an outbreak of cattle diseases, specifically pasteurellosis and rabies. This decision follows weeks of forced culling of livestock, which has sparked protests among small farmers who claim these measures threaten their livelihoods. The region's agriculture minister, Andrei Shindelov, stated that the emergency declaration would facilitate effective coordination of actions and control the movement of animals and animal products. Reports indicate that five outbreaks of pasteurellosis and 42 cases of rabies have been identified, leading to the removal of thousands of cattle, which are being burned to contain the diseases.

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The culling measures have faced significant backlash from local farmers. Many have expressed their frustration, claiming they were unaware of the emergency declaration and arguing that pasteurellosis can be treated with antibiotics rather than requiring culling. Svetlana Panina, a farmer from Novoklyuchi, confronted Shindelov, expressing her desperation after losing 200 head of cattle, including three camels. She criticized the government's actions, stating, "Why are you running away? Go and hide in a toilet from us people." The protests have led to confrontations between villagers and law enforcement, although reports indicate that only a few individuals were briefly detained without any major crackdown on demonstrators.

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The culling measures have disproportionately affected small farms, while larger agricultural enterprises have reportedly been spared, further fueling discontent among the farming community. The emergency declaration allows farmers to seek compensation for their culled animals, and local officials have begun processing the first payments. However, the dissatisfaction remains high, as many farmers feel the government's response has been inadequate and unjust.

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The Russian agriculture watchdog has attributed the outbreak's severity to extreme winter conditions in Siberia, which have compromised the animals' immunity. Additionally, officials have advised farmers against using feed of unknown origin. Other Siberian regions are on alert for smaller outbreaks, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov emphasized the need for a rapid response, stating, "There are some cases when a fast reaction is needed." Coordination efforts between affected regions and Moscow are ongoing.

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The situation in Novosibirsk highlights the tension between government measures aimed at controlling disease outbreaks and the livelihoods of small farmers. As the emergency continues, the balance between public health and agricultural sustainability remains a critical concern for both local communities and officials.

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