Cyprus foot and mouth disease measures extended

The Cyprus Veterinary Services will slaughter Monday some 270 to 300 animals in the Dromolaxia area, south east of the capital, as initial indications from a London based laboratory suggest the animals may be suffering from food and mouth disease.
Final results of the examination of animal samples sent to the laboratory are expected today.
Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Fotis Fotiou said the decision to slaughter the animals was taken after a meeting in Larnaca, following consultations with the European Union.
“A report we have received from the laboratory brings us closer to confirmation that the animals are suffering from food and mouth disease. It is important to implement all the necessary measures not only within the initial three kilometer radius but to extend them to a radius of ten kilometers,” the Minister said after Sunday’s meeting.
Fotiou appealed for calm, saying there is no reason for panic at this stage and said nobody is certain about how the disease was transmitted to these animals.
Two EU experts are already in Cyprus to help deal with the situation.
A representative of a coordinating committee of sheep owners Spyros Leventis has called for concerted action to deal with the problem.