Farm disinfection delays restart after Cyprus foot-and-mouth outbreak

Nicosia, Cyprus. Veterinary services director Christodoulos Pipis said on Tuesday that some livestock farmers are delaying the resumption of business in foot-and-mouth disease-affected areas by failing to disinfect their premises as required.

Parliamentary discussion

Pipis addressed the House agriculture committee during a discussion on the recovery of Cyprus’ livestock sector after the highly contagious foot-and-mouth disease outbreak.

“The reboot of affected farmers depends on them,” he said.

Impact of the outbreak

Authorities have culled 52,632 sheep and goats, 24,483 pigs and 3,018 cattle as part of measures to contain the disease.

The animals culled represent 11.5 per cent of the sheep and goat population, 7.8 per cent of pigs and 3.5 per cent of cattle. A total of 121 farms have so far tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease.

Disinfection requirements

Pipis said some farmers who intend to leave the sector have not carried out the mandatory disinfection of their units. This is preventing nearby businesses that want to restart operations from doing so.

He warned that partial or piecemeal disinfection increases the risk of reinfection.

The veterinary services may impose fines on farmers who refuse to disinfect their premises or initiate criminal proceedings. However, Pipis said criminal cases could take years to be resolved by the courts.