Pachna, Cyprus. Cyprus veterinary service and its employees’ union warned they will take action following reported attacks and obstruction during inspections linked to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.
Reported incidents during inspections
In a joint statement, the veterinary services employees’ union and the veterinary service said there had been repeated incidents of aggressive behaviour against staff, which had been brought to the attention of the media and the relevant ministry.
They said the latest incidents occurred on Thursday, when groups of citizens in Pachna allegedly attacked veterinary officials and obstructed the competent authority from carrying out sampling at livestock units as part of the emergency response plan for foot-and-mouth disease.
Safety warning and potential suspension of outbreak work
“The safety of veterinarians and para-veterinary staff carrying out their duties is a non-negotiable priority,” the statement said.
The organisations warned that unless competent authorities take immediate and effective measures to ensure the physical safety of officials while performing their duties, they will refrain from all activities related to managing the outbreak.
They said this would include sampling, vaccinations, culling and compensation procedures.
Context of heightened tensions
The warning comes amid heightened tensions over the handling of the outbreak, particularly in affected farming communities where concerns have been raised over containment measures and the possible spread of the virus.
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