Outstanding compensation claims and delays in the reactivation of livestock units affected by foot-and-mouth disease remain a concern for farmers, according to the president of farmers' group Voice of Livestock Farmers.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, Neofytos Neofytou said seven compensation cases are still pending, with some farmers yet to receive any payment following the culling of animals carried out as part of efforts to contain the disease.
Compensation claims remain unresolved
According to Neofytou, four livestock farmers have not received any compensation, while three others have received only 10% to 15% of the amounts they expected.
He said the organisation has sent a letter to Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou, requesting a meeting to discuss compensation payments and the next steps for affected farmers.
Neofytou also claimed that communication with the Veterinary Services has been difficult and that farmers have not received clear information on when compensation payments will be completed.
Disputes over animal records
The farmers' representative said some compensation cases are being reviewed because of discrepancies between animal numbers recorded at the time of culling and those previously declared by livestock owners.
According to Neofytou, the Veterinary Services cited legislation that may affect compensation eligibility where such discrepancies exist.
However, he argued that authorities were aware of the differences before the culling process took place and that farmers were informed only later that their cases were under investigation.
"In some cases the data may have been incorrect, but the animals were not stolen. They had been purchased, were in the possession of the farmers and formed part of their property," he said.
Concerns over farm reactivation process
Neofytou also raised concerns about the delayed reactivation of affected livestock units.
Following recent inspections, three units were informed they would be permitted to receive sentinel animals from 1 September. These animals are placed on farms for approximately 15 to 20 days and monitored to determine whether the virus is still present.
He expressed concern that the Veterinary Services require the animals to be unvaccinated, arguing that this creates practical difficulties because many farmers vaccinated the animals that remained in their herds during the outbreak response.
Questions over timing
Neofytou questioned why the process involving sentinel animals is beginning four to five months after the culling of livestock.
According to him, the relevant protocol envisaged the placement of sentinel animals after 42 days, following the removal of manure and the completion of cleaning and disinfection procedures.
"In our view, farms should by now be moving towards full restocking rather than only starting the process with sentinel animals," he said.
He added that farmers whose units met the requirements for reactivation were expected to be informed several weeks ago, but the process has yet to move forward.
Call for answers
The president of the farmers' organisation called on the relevant authorities to provide clear answers regarding compensation payments and the timetable for reopening affected units.
He also urged the authorities to address what he described as ongoing delays affecting farmers who lost livestock during efforts to contain the outbreak.
Source: CNA
