Larnaca, Cyprus. Cyprus’ agriculture ministry said on Saturday that almost all pending culling of animals from farms where foot and mouth disease was detected had been completed. It said around 6,650 animals were culled in the two days before Saturday morning.
Culling operation
The ministry said officers from the veterinary services department worked continuously, day and night, under difficult conditions to complete the operation. It added that culling in the Larnaca district continued until 4am on Saturday.
The ministry also praised the police and the National Guard for ensuring the safe and orderly execution of the culling efforts.
“The cooperation of all those involved is the most powerful tool for eradicating the disease, protecting the livestock sector, and ensuring the country’s food security,” the ministry said.
Vaccine shipment
Veterinary association chairman Demetris Epaminondas said more than half a million doses of the disease’s vaccine would arrive on the island on Sunday. He said the shipment was expected to clear customs on Monday or Tuesday.
Farmers and compensation
Farmers agreed on Tuesday to accept the culling of livestock on farms where foot and mouth disease had been detected. At the same time, Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou announced an increase in compensation for sheep and goat farmers whose animals are culled because of outbreaks of the disease.
Compensation amounts already exceeded those initially foreseen by the European Union’s maximum values on which it will agree to co-finance compensation for culled animals.
Before Tuesday’s meeting, the government’s position was to pay farmers between €43 and €178 for each regular sheep and goat culled, and between €47 and €420 for each sheep and goat deemed to be of high genetic value.
It was also set to pay farmers between €150 and €1,500 for each regular cow culled, with compensation rising to as much as €2,500 for exceptional cattle.
