Stockbreeders, whose livestock had to be killed due to the Foot and Mouth Disease outbreak in Cyprus, received financial compensation. Minister of Finance Michalis Sarris said state finances are sound and can shoulder the burden.
Sarris expressed hope that the Foot and Mouth Disease will be restricted but noted that in case the disease spreads, “the government will be ready to tackle the situationâ€
Meanwhile, the House Agriculture Committee was briefed about the new developments on the issue by Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment, Fotis Fotiou.
Fotiou said that following a decision by the EU experts, who are currently in Cyprus to help coordinate efforts to combat the disease, 50 pigs have been killed in a farm in the restricted zone of 3 kilometers in the Dromolaxia area, near the coastal town of Larnaca.
The Minister referred to the meetings he holds with EU specialist on animal disease Alberto Ladomada and said that the EU expert believes that the disease has been restricted in the area under supervision in Dromolaxia.
He also said he is in constant contact with EU Commissioner for Health Marcos Kyprianou and added that the Cypriot Commissioner is stressing the obligation of
Referring to the issue of compensation, he said that the government will grant 110
Fotiou said that the government will also compensate stockbreeders for the loss of income for a period of six months and that if necessary, the six month period will be extended.
The measures also include compensation for animal food supplies which will have to be destroyed.
The government will also cover expenses for the reactivation of the affected farmers, including any additional cost for the purchase of livestock.
Director of the Veterinary Services, Charalambos Kakoyiannis told MPs that already, 1,428 samples have been taken from 42 farms, 38 of which fall within the 3 kilometers restricted zone in Dromolaxia, three in the 10 kilometers zone and one beyond the restricted zones.
Kakoyiannis said that examinations so far show that “one or two positive samples have been found in an area beyond the three kilometers zone†and added that 10 herds react positively to the test.
The package also covers compensation for animal feed that will be destroyed and the cost of restarting farms.
Farmers expressed their satisfaction with the relief measures with the President of the Sheep and Goat Farmers Coordinating Committee, Spyros Leventis saying they were satisfied in view of the government’s intention to help farmers restart their business afresh which could take between three to six months.
Leventis said that in other EU countries, like France, England and Denmark, only the affected animals are culled and not the ones close to them as a precaution.
He expressed the hope this measure would be implemented in Cyprus, noting that farmers still doubted whether their animals were infected with FMD.
THE European Commission has given the all clear for exports of halloumi and other types of cheese and dairy products which are considered safe after the foot-and-mouth outbreak.
