Athienou: Dispute Over Animal Culling Due to Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Tensions are high in Athienou regarding the management of foot-and-mouth disease. Mayor Kyriakos Kareklas has expressed strong concern about the planned culling of animals, arguing that the animals have developed antibodies.

Speaking on the show "Alpha Kalimera," Mr. Kareklas emphasized that farmers are in despair as the culling of thousands of animals would affect their viability. He questioned the protocol of the Veterinary Services, saying that the animals are not active carriers of the disease.

"None of the units that have tested positive now have foot-and-mouth disease. They had it some time ago, and with the vaccines that were administered, they have now shown antibodies," he said, calling for a review of the decision.

Mr. Kareklas also requested the participation of specialized epidemiologists in managing the crisis and stressed the need for explanations from the Ministry of Agriculture regarding units that show antibodies but not the active virus.