The European Commission has decided to prohibit the export of Cypriot meat and dairy products as well as the movement of animals in the Republic of Cyprus, following the confirmation of an outbreak of foot and mouth disease at two farms.
Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Fotis Fotiou told the House Agriculture Committee that the EU has also banned the slaughter of animals.
Speaking during the meeting of the Committee which examined the latest developments, Fotiou announced a plan to support the animal breeders. The plan is expected to be tabled before the Cabinet on Wednesday for approval.
A Dutch EU expert has confirmed that Cyprus is facing cases of foot and mouth disease at two farms, Fotiou has said.
Speaking after a meeting at Larnaca’s Veterinary Services in the presence of the Dutch expert, Fotiou said the Veterinary Services have extended the risk zone of 3 km around the two farms affected in the Dromolaxia area, southeast of the capital, in a broader 10-km zone.
Stressing the disease cannot be spread to humans, Fotiou said authorities are taking all measures to protect the public. At the same time, the milk produce from the 10 km zone area will be destroyed on a daily basis.
At the same time, he said after contacting President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos, who was informed on the developments, it was decided that the breeders will be economically compensated for their losses following the measures taken.
The Cyprus Veterinary Services went ahead earlier Monday with the culling of 300 animals in the Dromolaxia area, and the minister added that probably, more animals would have to be culled.
The EU expert, together with Cypriot veterinary services doctors, is checking to see whether there are symptoms of the disease in four other farms, said Photiou adding that samples from cattle and pigs in the affected area were taken for lab tests.
Meanwhile, Head of the Veterinary Services Charalambos Kakoyiannis called on the public and the breeders to cooperate with the Veterinary Services and monitor symptoms on animals such as blisters on their hooves and foam at the mouth.
The animals culled are buried in sites close to the farms to avoid their transportation, he added.
Head of the animal breeders association Panagiotis Constantinou said the situation was “extremely sad for everyone, especially the breedersâ€, adding that they are now trying to see whether the disease has spread and if possible how to contain it in the affected area.
In another development, the European Commission said the Cypriot authorities were taking all precautionary measures provided by EU law to handle the foot and mouth disease, noting that on Tuesday the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health will convene to confirm the prohibition of exports.
It also said that the first results from the British laboratory were positive for the O type virus. Type O is the most prevalent of the seven types of foot and mouth.
