Farmers in Northern Sardinia are calling for the elimination of the PCR test for cattle
«Waiting times are too long – say CIA members – and exports are damaged»
" No case of deer disease has been recorded in our territory, therefore we urge the Ministry of Health to withdraw PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests for cattle". The Confederation of Farmers of Northern Sardinia is asking for it to unblock a market slowed down by the waiting times for the exam.
The president of the Cia Nord Sardegna Michele Orecchioni explains: « We are faced with waiting times that reach a month to obtain the negative PCR tests from the Zooprophylactic Institute of Sassari. Delays caused by the increase in work due to checks for the BTV3 serotype of the Blue Tongue and deer disease and, probably, also due to a lack of personnel, but in this way the whole supply chain is blocked».
Breeders who want to sell their animals beyond the Tyrrhenian Sea are at a standstill and this discomfort is added to those of an unforgiving year. The fact that no cases of deer haemorrhagic disease have been recorded in Northern Sardinia should allow for the removal of the PCR test and speed up the movement of the cattle.
