Foot-and-Mouth Disease Clarification: No Mass Culling of Vaccinated Animals Required

The Veterinary Services have issued a statement clarifying that the European Commission's Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/782 does not require the mass culling of vaccinated animals in Cyprus.

According to the announcement, the vaccination being implemented in Cyprus is protective and not suppressive. The decision concerns the updating of measures to control foot-and-mouth disease and the implementation of the vaccination program.

The reference to the removal of vaccinated animals concerns the condition for lifting restrictions on exports of live animals and products to the EU. The goal is to achieve the status of a 'free country where vaccination is applied,' allowing control of the disease without slaughtering livestock.

The Veterinary Services assure that vaccination is a key tool to limit the spread of the disease, protecting livestock, and that no mass slaughter of vaccinated animals is planned.