President Christodoulides announced on Wednesday that he will take the initiative to speak with all those affected by Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) and will also address the issue publicly, refuting however, the lack of understanding between the Veterinary Services and Agriculture Ministry and calling again for cooperation to deal with the challenge “otherwise we will all lose”.
Speaking to the press in Limassol, he said that the FMD broke out in Larnaka first but now reached the district of Limassol, saying that something happened for the disease to affect a unit in Pachna village. “It means that there was no cooperation, it means that some people did not follow what they should have followed”, he said.
He said that he requested a briefing and information about the matter, adding that it was discussed during Wednesday’s Cabinet meeting, in relation to the new sample checks the affected breeders requested.
The President went on to say that the Veterinary Services, based on the protocols, said that second checks are not needed.
When asked if he would consider having a meeting with those affected who also sent him a letter, he replied that he is ready to receive anyone who wishes to meet with him and of course the agricultural organizations that are partners in this great effort to address the FMD challenge, including the newly founded “Voice of Livestock Breeders” organization.
He reiterated the need for cooperation, for everyone to work in the same direction, pointing out that if we do not cooperate we will all face the losses.
In another question that the livestock farmers claim that the virus was transferred due to improper handling of the biosecurity measures by the Veterinary Services, he questioned whether it is possible for the Vet Services to be held responsible for the fact that the virus was transported to Pachna village from Larnaka district.
The President said that something must have happened that was not correct and not based on the protocols and called once again for proper cooperation.
Thousands of animals, including cattle and sheep, were affected in several livestock units initially in Larnaca and then in Nicosia district, following a foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, first reported on February 20. FMD spread to Limassol in May. This followed an FMD outbreak in the island’s Turkish-occupied areas last December. Authorities proceed with a nationwide vaccination campaign of animals to contain the virus, while EU rules require all animals in the infected areas to be culled, bringing about a series of repercussions in livestock farming and other agricultural economic activities. Halloumi, Cyprus’ top agricultural export product, has been spared. Experts reiterate that FMD is not dangerous to humans.