Nicosia, Cyprus. A compensation package for livestock farmers resuming operations after foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks has been agreed and will be submitted to the Council of Ministers for approval, Pan-Agricultural Association head Kyriakos Kailas said on Wednesday.
Compensation framework and cabinet approval
Kailas said the agreement sets out financial support for farmers restarting their units and follows earlier compensation measures linked to the culling of animals during the outbreak. He said the new framework defines the payments for reactivation and is intended to support the recovery of affected livestock producers.
Once approved by cabinet, farmers will be able to receive the agreed compensation and proceed with declaring the restart of their operations without delay.
Lost income support and production restart
The package includes continued payment of lost income for up to 12 months, with the option of an extension if required.
Kailas said the process for returning to full production will be gradual. Farmers will first be allowed to introduce a small number of animals, around three to four, on a pilot basis to allow monitoring and ensure no further infections occur. If successful, they will then be permitted to rebuild their herds fully.
He said vaccinations will continue as part of disease control efforts.
What impact do you expect the gradual restart process to have on affected livestock farmers?
