Larnaca, Cyprus. Authorities reiterated on Tuesday that all animals in a farming unit where foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) is detected are subject to mandatory culling, as farmers protested the slaughter of their livestock.
EU regulation and mandatory measures
The Veterinary Service said an EU regulation requires that, following official confirmation of a Category A disease in an establishment, authorities will order that “all animals of listed species kept in the affected establishment shall be killed as soon as possible on the spot, within the establishment, in such a way as to avoid any risk of spreading the relevant Category A disease agent during and after killing”.
“There are no exemptions wherever a positive case [of foot-and-mouth disease] is identified in a farming unit. Culling is imperative,” the Veterinary Service added.
Farmer concerns and compensation
The department said it understands the concerns of livestock farmers, as the slaughter of their animals affects their livelihood.
Farmers who cooperate with security measures will be compensated, both for the animals culled and animal feel that has been disposed of.
Outbreak areas and latest figures
In the Livadia and Aradippou communities, described as the epicentre of the outbreak, 1,300 sheep and goats have been culled so far, with an additional 2,700 planned by Wednesday.
Authorities said the situation has stabilised, with no new cases of FMD recorded on Tuesday, but the state of emergency still applies.
Containment efforts
“The culling of animals is not subject to approval from livestock farmers, it is a necessary measure,” Veterinary Service officer Sotiria Georgiadou said.
Georgiadou said the disease has been contained within a 10km radius and expressed hope it will not spread further “so that we can win the battle”.
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