A easing of the restrictions imposed to contain the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is expected in the coming weeks, as authorities review requests from livestock organisations against what they describe as a positive epidemiological picture so far.
Dimitris Epameinondas, president of the Cyprus Veterinary Association and a member of the epidemiological team, told CNA that targeted relaxations of the measures were discussed at a meeting held on Friday with agricultural organisations. Final decisions are expected within the coming week, with a new decree to be issued either that same week or, at the latest, the week after. Epameinondas declined to specify which measures are under consideration, noting that the proposals are still being assessed by the Veterinary Services.
A nationwide surveillance sampling exercise for foot-and-mouth disease is currently under way. The first results from Limassol and Nicosia have come back negative, with results from the remaining districts still pending. Epameinondas also noted that the high temperatures and intense ultraviolet radiation of this time of year are unfavourable to the survival of the virus, which significantly reduces the likelihood of transmission.
The Ministry of Agriculture confirmed it has received a new request from the Union of Sheep and Goat Producer Groups for additional financial support, and said it will be assessed by the relevant services on the basis of the existing regulatory framework and the needs of the sector. The ministry said it remains in continuous communication with sheep and goat farmers and noted that it has already moved to increase subsidies, approved investment schemes worth approximately €30 million, of which almost half relate specifically to sheep and goat farming, and has paid compensation to affected livestock farmers. The ministry said its goal remains the protection of livestock and the support of producers through measures that are evidence-based, implementable and tailored to the sector's actual needs.
Source: CNA
