Nicosia, Cyprus. Veterinary services said on Tuesday that no culling had been planned at the infected small farm in Pachna, citing conditions in the area and the need to protect personnel handling the case.
No official warning to farmer
In a statement issued after developments on Tuesday and public claims about the case, the services said there had never been any official communication from staff to the farmer about a culling process or about any possible loss of compensation rights.
They said no member of the veterinary services had told the farmer how a possible cull would be carried out or that compensation would be withheld for animals that might be destroyed.
Claims over retesting rejected
The services also addressed claims about a second round of testing and a negative laboratory result at the farm, saying no second laboratory examination had been carried out in any case where samples had initially tested positive for the virus.
They said the same approach had been followed in the Pachna case, in line with equal treatment, sound administration and good faith, and that the samples in question were not retested.
According to the statement, the negative results mentioned publicly concern other farms in the area where sampling was carried out as part of the required systematic analysis, not the infected unit.
Appeal for calm and cooperation
The veterinary services expressed concern over incidents of tension and the spread of inaccurate information, saying these significantly hinder efforts to manage the situation and the work of staff on the ground.
They also condemned the behaviour of certain individuals toward service officials in Pachna and called for respect for personnel working in difficult conditions.
The services renewed their appeal to livestock farmers to remain calm, cooperate with authorities and rely only on information from the competent services.
They added that the state remains ready to provide all possible support to affected farmers within the framework of the law and applicable national and European legislation.
