Livestock farmers in Cyprus are deciding on their next steps today after the country received a negative response to its request for an exemption from the requirement to cull all animals on farms where cases of foot-and-mouth disease are detected.
At the same time, a meeting between farmers and representatives of agricultural organisations is taking place in Aradippou, where participants are discussing recent developments and the sector’s possible response.
Stakeholders are also considering the possibility of protests. Farmers are reacting to measures that require the killing of animals in livestock units where cases of the disease are confirmed.
Road blocks and protests
Meanwhile, farmers staged a protest in Oroklini in an attempt to prevent the culling of animals scheduled for today by the Veterinary Services as part of measures to contain foot-and-mouth disease.
Protesters arrived from various parts of Cyprus and blocked the road leading to a fellow farmer’s livestock unit where the culling is expected to take place.
In a symbolic act of protest, demonstrators placed a coffin on the roof of a vehicle to express their opposition to the decision to slaughter animals.
A strong police presence has been deployed in the area, with officers monitoring the situation.