Limassol, Cyprus. Animal culling to contain the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease is continuing as planned, Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou said on Thursday, as the cabinet approved significantly tougher penalties for violations of animal health legislation.
Culling operations continue
Speaking after a cabinet meeting, Panayiotou said the culling programme was progressing normally following measures announced earlier this week. She referred to a livestock farm in Pachna where infected animals are due to be put down.
Asked whether there had been attempts to prevent the culling from taking place, the minister said she had been informed by veterinary services in Limassol that operations were proceeding normally with police assistance.
“I have not been informed of any reaction so far, based on the information I have received,” she said.
Cabinet approves stricter penalties
The minister also announced that the cabinet had approved a proposal by the agriculture ministry to substantially increase penalties under the Animal Health Law.
Under the changes, the penalty for failing to comply with the law will increase from a maximum prison sentence of six months or a fine of €3,323 to up to five years in prison or a fine of €250,000.
Penalties relating to the movement of animals or animal products from areas not under the effective control of the Republic will rise from a maximum sentence of 12 months imprisonment or a fine of €8,309 to up to 10 years in prison or a fine of €250,000.
Administrative fines and investigations
In addition, administrative fines imposed by the director of veterinary services in cases of non-compliance with national and EU legislation will increase from €5,000 to €100,000.
To date, under the previous regulations, 27 administrative fines have been issued worth €91,540.
Meanwhile, police are investigating six cases involving serious violations.
