Veterinary services to register 3,000 foot-and-mouth cases ahead of livestock culls

Avgorou, Cyprus. The Veterinary services will formally register 3,000 foot-and-mouth disease cases detected during the summer at five livestock units. The affected animals are scheduled for culling in the coming days.

Five units affected

The livestock units are located in Avgorou, Dromolaxia, Alethriko, Aradippou and Pentakomo. Their owners are expected at the agriculture ministry on Monday at noon for an explanation of the next steps.

Christodoulos Pipis, director of the department, said compensation would match that provided to other farmers affected by the disease. It would cover livestock, milk, assistance to resume operations and any losses.

Delay in registering cases

Pipis explained that the department had not registered the cases upon detection because it was waiting for a decision from the European Commission on whether a formal declaration was required.

He said the uncertainty concerned epidemiological circumstances, vaccination, the farms’ proximity to the initial outbreaks and the legal obligations governing declarations.

Farmers request talks before culling

Farmers remain dissatisfied. Neophytos Neophytou, president of voice of livestock breeders, criticised the government’s response and called for immediate discussions with the authorities.

He requested a meeting on Monday involving the farmers whose animals face culling, with Pipis attending, before any measures are carried out.

“Let them come and talk and, if that’s what we’re saying, give it to us in writing,” he said.

Neophytou also sought clarification on when payments would start for resuming operations, keeping animals confined and compensating owners for the animals’ value. He said the ministry had indicated that it would bring the matter before the cabinet.