Nicosia, Cyprus. Farmers’ representatives have agreed to accept the culling of livestock on farms where foot and mouth disease has been detected, Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou said on Tuesday after a meeting between farmers’ representatives and the government.
Culling to continue under EU rules
Panayiotou said the “immediate completion” of livestock culling would continue as European Union legislation dictates. The announcement followed protests at a farm in Pachna village, where veterinary services department staff were prevented from accessing the site and potentially culling the livestock, after last Friday’s protest at the presidential palace.
Higher compensation for farmers
Panayiotou also said compensation for sheep and goat farmers whose animals are culled because of outbreaks of the disease will increase. She said the exact amounts will be determined “in the coming days.”
Compensation amounts had already exceeded the initial European Union 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 between €43 and €178 per regular sheep or goat, and between €47 and €420 per sheep or goat deemed to be of “high genetic value,” if culled as a result of the disease.
It was also due to pay between €150 and €1,500 per regular cow culled, with the amount rising to up to €2,500 for exceptional cattle.
The EU’s maximum values are €1,000 per cow and €140 per sheep, with the bloc financing 30 per cent of compensation payments up to that amount.
Possible higher fines
Panayiotou said increased fines will be imposed on those found to be illegally moving livestock to and from the north. If the cabinet approves her proposal, on-the-spot fines of up to €100,000 could be issued, while courts would be able to impose fines of up to €250,000.
