Cyprus taking measures after FMD incident in UK

Minister of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Environment Photis Photiou said  that since Saturday the Republic of Cyprus has been taking emergency measures regarding the arrival of visitors from the United Kingdom at ports and airports, after a case of foot and mouth disease (FMD) was found in Britain.
Photiou assured that there was nothing to panic about and that, according to an EU plan, the Republic had to take certain measures. These include visitors arriving on the island passing over a special decontamination mat.
He added that the import of animals from the UK has been banned and the authorities were trying to turn back a shipment that was due to arrive on Sunday or Monday with 80 animals.
”All checks are being made for the people arriving in Cyprus, as well as animal products,” he said.
The Minister noted that ”there is no cause for panic or concern over this issue, although it is considered to be serious in England, but we must take all necessary measures to be alright.”
FMD, also known as aftosa, is a highly contagious viral disease affecting practically all cloven-footed domesticated mammals, including cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs.