Athienou, Cyprus. The Veterinary Services on Tuesday rejected claims that animals culled due to foot and mouth disease were improperly discarded in Athienou. The statement followed concerns raised in a recent Cyprus Mail report.
Denial of uncontrolled disposal
The Veterinary Services said that “under no circumstances” are animals from infected farms disposed of in an uncontrolled manner or outside designated and licensed burial sites. It said the handling of carcasses is carried out strictly in line with biosecurity protocols and relevant EU and national regulations, under the supervision of competent authorities.
Reports of carcasses in skips
The response came after reports that dead sheep were seen left in skips in the Athienou industrial area.
Collection points and contractor arrangement
According to the Veterinary Services, carcasses from livestock areas in Aradippou, Troulloi, Athienou and Ormidia are temporarily gathered at designated points outside farming zones before being collected by a contractor, under an existing contract for the collection and management of dead animals.
The department said this arrangement was introduced at the request of organised groups of farmers in affected areas, to reduce the risk of disease spread by avoiding the entry of collection vehicles into livestock units.
It added that the selection of collection points was made in consultation between farmers and local authorities, without direct involvement from Veterinary Services.
Agriculture ministry comments on images
Addressing visual material circulating publicly, the agriculture ministry said that “isolated images do not necessarily reflect the full process”.
It said the management of carcasses, including collection, transport and final disposal, follows approved procedures, including sanitary burial in properly prepared sites, the use of approved disinfectants and strict access control measures.
Farmers’ association comments on timing
Earlier, head of the cattle farmers’ association Giorgos Parpas told the Cyprus Mail that culled animals were placed in skips at designated points before being collected for incineration. He added that under normal conditions animals should remain in skips for no more than one to two hours before collection, but delays may extend into the following day, leaving the culled animals exposed.
What changes, if any, would you like authorities to make to the timing of carcass collection at designated points?
