EU specialist commends Cyprus’ efforts to eliminate FMD

European Union specialist on animal disease Alberto Ladomada has said that Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) has been confirmed in four farms in Cyprus and commended the Cypriot authorities on their work to combat the disease.
“The disease has been confirmed in four farms. There are positive tests, confirmed in Cyprus and in the Community laboratory in England”, Ladomada told reporters.
He added that the measures taken by the Cypriot authorities in containing the spread of the disease have been effective but noted that there is still a lot of work to be done.
“The Veterinary Services in Cyprus are doing a very good job in getting rid of the problem as soon as possible. I think this is the objective that everybody here in Cyprus should have in relation to FMD”, he continued.
Ladomada said that one or two more weeks are needed in order to better understand when the disease can be fully eradicated.
“I think for a couple of months you still have to be patient. But let me say that the experience is that after some weeks when the measures are in place and well established, it is becoming evident that the disease is controlled. Then I would say that the pressure on the farmers and the authorities will decrease and the crisis will be close to the end”, he said.
Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Fotis Fotiou said that in a few days the Veterinary Services will have a better overview over the whole situation.
In a few days, he said, we will know the results from the samples taken in two more farms in Dromolaxia, where the disease broke out, and other farms outside the ten kilometers restricted area.
“Based on those results we will take our measures. Our goal is not to proceed with mass killings of animals. Having to take such decisions doesn’t make us happy. On the other hand, we have to be determined to work hard in order to contain the disease in that particular area for the sake of our farming and to avert any serious repercussions on the economy”, the Minister added.
Asked about the illegal trade of vaccines from the Turkish occupied areas of Cyprus, Fotiou said that the state is aware of it, and urged farmers to realise that such actions put in jeopardy the sector and its future.
“Such vaccines, which are not approved by the EU”, he said, “could seriously affect the health of our livestock”.
Director of the Veterinary Services Charalambos Kakoyiannis said that the state has to comply with the Cypriot and EU legislation and continue with the cull of affected herds.
“This is not an easy situation for anyone. But we have to comply and we are obliged to do whatever possible to prevent the expansion of the disease,” he said.
Kakoyiannis explained that combating the disease will take months and expressed certainty that more herds will have to be killed in the three kilometers restricted area.
He urged consumers not to abstain from animal or milk products, stressing that they are safe for consumption.