Cyprus academics urge priority protection for indigenous cattle amid foot-and-mouth disease concerns

Nicosia, Cyprus. Two academics from Cyprus University of Technology (Tepak) have urged authorities to take special measures to protect Cyprus’ indigenous cattle breed amid concerns over the possible spread of foot-and-mouth disease.

Letter to authorities and vaccination proposals

In a letter to relevant authorities, associate professors Ouranios Tzamaloukas and Despoina Miltiadou called on the agriculture ministry to prioritise protection of the native cattle breed. They outlined proposals while warning about the risks posed by foot-and-mouth disease and the potential impact on Cyprus’ small population of native cattle.

They recommended vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease for all animals of the breed across Cyprus, with priority given to these cattle, rather than limiting vaccination to farms near outbreak areas.

Support measures for grazing-based farms

The academics also stressed the need for additional support due to the extensive, grazing-based nature of these farms. Grazing has been banned since February 26 as part of disease control measures, leaving many breeders without their primary feeding system.

They proposed that farmers be provided with animal feed or emergency financial support to allow them to keep the animals on farms and continue breeding and production.

Warning on protecting rare breeds

Speaking to newspaper Haravgi, Tzamaloukas said rare breeds such as the Cyprus bovine breed require special protection when diseases such as foot-and-mouth appear.

“When one case is found, you cannot simply kill 100 or 150 animals,” he said. “These animals should be vaccinated immediately and as a priority before the rest, because we cannot obtain these animals from elsewhere. We cannot import them or even import semen.”

What measures do you think should be prioritised to protect Cyprus’ indigenous cattle breed during disease control efforts?