Head of the Special Scientific Committee for the Reconstruction and Upgrading of the Livestock Sector, Stavros Malas and member of the Epidemiological Team Demetris Tsaltas, told CNA Thursday that vaccinations and deterrent penalties are important for containing the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD).
Malas told CNA that at Tuesday’s expanded meeting at the Presidential Palace on FMD it was decided to impose very strict penalties for illegal animal trafficking.
“There is already legislation, which provides for an administrative fine of around pound 3,500 and this will now be increased to pound 100,000 and, when someone is convicted in court, it will rise to pound 250,000,” he stressed.
Malas expressed hope that this increase will act as a deterrent to illegal animal trafficking.
“The source of the entry of the virus that causes foot-and-mouth disease is the illegal activity that was taking place along the ceasefire line. This illegal activity obviously must stop. If it does not stop, the risk of reintroduction of the virus will not stop either, because now the virus has entered the government controlled areas,” he explained.
Stressing the importance of paying compensations as quickly as possible, Malas referred to President of the Republic’s statement regarding the possibility of reviewing the amount of compensations.
As regards vaccinations, Malas noted that they have protected many units, adding that thanks to the vaccinations FMD has subsided in the areas where it initially started.
In his statements, Tsaltas told CNA that the number of affected units remains at 120, noting that the laboratory receives new samples constantly.
“But I have not been informed that another positive case has been found,’ he added, saying that the process runs continuously, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Referring to Tuesday’s meeting at the Presidential Palace, he said that it was decided to tighten the measures to contain the foot-and-mouth disease.
‘Nothing changes. The same things apply, but we also asked for the contribution of the President of the Republic and primarily the Police and the National Guard to support the Veterinary Services so that they can do their job” he concluded.