Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Clarifications from Veterinary Services

The Veterinary Services have issued clarifications regarding the management and burial of dead animals due to foot-and-mouth disease, responding to public statements and requests.

They state that following the confirmation of the first cases, the Emergency Plan was activated in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2020/687, which mandates the culling of all animals on farms where cases have been identified to prevent the spread of the disease. It is emphasized that this is not a choice of the Republic of Cyprus, but an obligation arising from the EU regulatory framework.

The Veterinary Services are in constant communication with the European Commission, conveying the concerns of Cypriot farmers and promoting proposals for managing the crisis, taking into account the particularities of the Cypriot reality.

Regarding the announcement by the Movement of Ecologists – Citizens' Cooperation, the Veterinary Services clarify that burial sites are selected based on specific technical and environmental specifications, taking into account geological and hydrogeological data. Sealing and disinfection measures are applied to reduce the viral load and protect the environment.

The transport of animals is carried out by truck over short distances within the contaminated area, and the burial trench will be sealed after the completion of the culling process. The presence of odors is expected and is not related to the transmission of the disease.

The competent authorities continue to work to contain the disease, in cooperation with the European authorities. The publication of fragmented photographs without proper information contributes to the misinformation of citizens.

The Veterinary Services call on citizens to adhere to biosecurity measures.

Source: KYΠΕ