Nicosia, Cyprus. Agricultural organisations said on Friday that compensation for animals culled under measures to combat foot-and-mouth disease is set to significantly increase following a meeting at the agriculture ministry.
Compensation talks and pending approval
Agricultural union president Michalis Lytras said the meeting was “hopeful” and that serious, responsible discussions were needed to address the problem. He said that after the committee’s fourth meeting under the minister of agriculture, significant progress had been made and final approval was awaited from a special technical committee to proceed with compensation.
Lytras said prices had been raised significantly compared with the previous figures submitted to the ministry.
Next stage: replacement and reactivation of livestock units
Lytras said the next stage in negotiations would focus on the replacement and reactivation of livestock units through another committee. He said the goal was not limited to compensation, and that further meetings would be held on how to help affected people become active again in livestock farming.
Vaccination rates and ongoing risk
Agricultural association president Kyriakos Kailas said that while the risk of infection was currently lower due to higher vaccination rates, the problem had not yet been overcome. He said foot-and-mouth disease would remain for a few years until it is eradicated.
Kailas said vaccinations were needed at regular intervals to ensure animals have sufficient antibodies and are not contagious or infected.
Sector importance and government responsibility
Kailas said livestock farming is a significant sector, with 25 per cent of the workforce in the country employed in the industry, and highlighted the government’s responsibility to safeguard the sector.
How do you think compensation and vaccination efforts should be balanced to support livestock farmers during the outbreak?