The Veterinary Services are proceeding with the official recording of approximately 3,000 cases of foot-and-mouth disease detected during the summer at five livestock farms in Avgorou, Dromolaxia, Alethriko, Aradippou and Pentakomo, Director of the Veterinary Services Christodoulos Pipis, told CNA on Sunday. He noted that the animals are expected to be culled in the coming days.
Asked about the the compensation for the farmers affected, Pipis said the same measures applied in previous cases would also apply for them. ‘They will be compensated for the animals and the milk. If they resume their activities they will receive support as part of their reactivation, as well as compensation for any losses. They will be included in the group of affected livestock farmers,’ he said.
Pipis explained that the cases had been detected during summer but were not officially recorded at the time, as the Veterinary Services sought clarification from the European Commission.
‘These are not new cases,’ he said, explaining that the Veterinary Services’ reservations concerned the epidemiological circumstances, vaccination and the location of the farms in relation to the initial cases, as well as the legal requirements that must be met for a case to be officially recorded
‘We did not proceed with their official recording at the time because we wanted to discuss the matter with the European Commission and clarify whether, under the specific circumstances, they should be declared as cases,’ Pipis said.
He added that the cases would be officially recorded based on the dates on which they were detected, while the animals are expected to be culled in the coming days.
The owners of the five livestock farms will also be called to the Ministry of Agriculture on Monday to be informed about the situation and the procedure to be followed, he concluded.