Russia's Siberian Novosibirsk region has officially declared a state of emergency to combat a severe outbreak of cattle diseases, a move that has ignited weeks of intense protests from small-scale farmers facing forced culling of their livestock. The emergency declaration aims to coordinate efforts to contain the spread of pasteurellosis and rabies, but it has met with widespread resistance and public outcry.
Outbreaks and Official Response
Regional agriculture minister Andrei Shindelov announced via the state news agency TASS that the emergency status would enable "effective coordination of actions and the containment of the movement of animals and animal products." Authorities have identified five distinct outbreaks of pasteurellosis, a serious bacterial pneumonia, alongside 42 confirmed cases of rabies in the affected areas. In response, officials have initiated large-scale culling operations, with media reports and social media footage showing thousands of cows and other cattle being burned to prevent further disease transmission.
Farmer Anger and Confrontations
The culling measures have disproportionately impacted small farms, while larger agricultural enterprises have largely been spared, fueling anger and allegations of unfair treatment. Villagers have been actively confronting police and officials in attempts to halt the seizure of their animals. In one notable incident, local farmer Svetlana Panina from the village of Novoklyuchi chased Minister Shindelov through a government building, expressing desperation over her lost livelihood.
"Why are you running away? Go and hide in a toilet from us people," Panina was recorded saying. She reported losing 200 head of cattle, including three camels, taken while she was absent from her property. Many farmers claim they were unaware of the emergency declaration, which Shindelov stated was made a month prior, and argue that pasteurellosis can be treated with antibiotics rather than requiring mass culling.
Compensation and Regional Context
The emergency framework does allow farmers to seek compensation for culled animals, with local officials confirming that initial payments are being processed. Novosibirsk, Russia's 15th largest region with a population exceeding 2 million, borders Kazakhstan and lies approximately 600 kilometers from China. The Russian agriculture watchdog attributed the outbreak's severity to extreme winter cold in Siberia, which weakened animal immunity, and advised farmers against using feed of unknown origin.
Broader Implications and Official Statements
Several other Siberian regions have reported smaller outbreaks or placed themselves on high alert. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented to reporters, "There are some cases when a fast reaction is needed," noting that affected regions are coordinating with Moscow. The agriculture ministry has not responded to requests for comment from Reuters. While several individuals were briefly detained during protests, no major crackdown on demonstrators has been documented, highlighting the ongoing tension between authorities and the farming community.
