Por Ismael Buendia 
The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development has opened the period to apply for aid aimed at Livestock Health Defense Groups (ADSG) to offset the cost of carrying out prevention, control, and eradication actions of diseases implemented throughout 2024. Specifically, the Andalusian Government has established a period of 15 business days, starting from April 10, to complete the process online.
Regarding economic resources, the total budget allocated to these competitive aid exceeds 6.8 million euros to support actions included in national and regional health programs that lack European funding. The subsidized measures include various actions from national and regional planning, as well as others from the ADSG’s own program approved by the Andalusian Government.
Specifically, the subsidized actions aim to prevent, monitor, and control diseases such as Bovine, Ovine, and Caprine Brucellosis; Bovine and Caprine Tuberculosis; Bovine Infectious Rhinotracheitis; Ovine Catarrhal Fever (commonly known as ‘Blue Tongue’) or Aujeszky’s Disease. Additionally, they support surveillance and control measures of Salmonella serotypes in poultry farms; actions included in the health program for fish farms; and vaccination programs against Porcine Respiratory and Reproductive Syndrome, Ovine and Caprine Contagious Agalaxia, Ovine Enzootic Abortion, Avian Mycoplasmosis, and Infectious Bursal Disease (also known as ‘Gumboro Disease’).
The Andalusian Government advocates for public-private collaboration in this area where the ADSGs carry out an important task to improve the health-zootechnical level of livestock farms, ensuring the highest possible animal welfare.
ADSG in Andalusia
Livestock Health Defense Groups are formed by farmers and have the technical direction of veterinary services responsible for executing programs aimed at maintaining the good health status of Andalusian livestock. For this work, the ADSGs collaborate with the Agricultural County Offices (OCA) and the official laboratories of Andalusia, under the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Water, and Rural Development.
Currently, the Andalusian autonomous community has a total of 78 Livestock Health Defense Groups. Specifically, Almería and Cádiz each have seven ADSGs in their province; Córdoba and Málaga have nine groups in each territory; and Granada, Jaén, and Sevilla have 13 ADSGs in each case. These groups are joined by four operating in the province of Huelva and three ADSGs operating at a regional level.