Nicosia, Cyprus. Farmers were warned on Tuesday that not implementing European Union regulations on foot and mouth disease, including culling infected animals, could put Cyprus at risk of being unable to export halloumi to the rest of the bloc.
Warning on exports and EU compliance
Veterinary association chairman Demetris Epaminondas, speaking on CyBC radio, said that “if EU legislation is not implemented, then there is a risk that the export of halloumi from Cyprus will be banned”.
Dispute over “alternative protocols”
Epaminondas dismissed claims by Stella Petrou, a representative of the newly established organisation ‘the voice of livestock breeders’, that there may be “alternative European protocols” which could allow Cyprus to avoid culling infected animals.
He said that “European legislation regarding the treatment of the disease is unified,” adding that no such “alternative protocols” exist.
“Europe has chosen the extreme strategy of eradicating the problem. This leaves no room for any differentiation in the measures taken in any of the member states,” he said.
Vaccination antibodies and testing
Asked whether animals may test positive for foot and mouth disease due to antibodies from vaccination, Epaminondas said “it is possible to differentiate vaccine antibodies from antibodies which have developed due to natural infection”.
Farmers’ response and planned actions
Petrou said farmers remain dissatisfied with the government’s actions and that her organisation would decide its “next steps” on Tuesday night before announcing its intentions on Wednesday.
She said farmers do not intend to block access to international airports, but plan to “focus” on the Presidential palace and “cities’ central arterial roads”.
Her organisation was formed a week ago and said it aims to highlight “the serious issues which have arisen in the sector”.
EU law on culling
The organisation has called for alternatives to the culling of livestock amid the outbreak, though European Union law stipulates that if an animal is found to have foot and mouth disease, every animal on the farm must be culled.
What measures do you think should be prioritised to address the outbreak while meeting European Union requirements?
