Aradippou, Cyprus. Cyprus has begun vaccinating livestock against foot-and-mouth disease as the country continues to battle an outbreak, starting with cattle in the Larnaca district village of Aradippou.
Vaccine doses and deliveries
The veterinary services department said the first animals were vaccinated on Wednesday, with 10,000 doses donated by the Turkish Cypriot authorities. It added that another 50,000 doses were expected to be received within the day, and that the Turkish Cypriot authorities said on Wednesday they will provide a further 10,000 doses in the coming days.
Testing, culling, and burial operations
The department said it is continuing to test livestock in the region for the disease and that the killing and burial of animals in units where positive cases have been identified is continuing. It said burial sites have been found after consultations with other government services, including the water development department and the agriculture department, and that the sites were determined based on specific specifications.
Support measures for affected farmers
The department said Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou has given instructions for a compensation and support package to be drawn up for stakeholders whose livelihoods have been impacted by the outbreak. The government confirmed on Wednesday that €4.5 million has been allocated to help affected farmers.
Government coordination
Panayiotou said “no one will be left behind” as the government seeks to combat the disease, adding that the government stands alongside producers and rural communities. She said she is in continuous and direct contact with stakeholders and in constant collaboration with scientific experts and European institutions to ensure the vaccination process and other measures are based on scientific documentation and best European practices.
What impact do you expect the vaccination campaign and support package to have on affected farmers in your area?