The Agriculture Ministry has implemented all-day disinfection at checkpoints following a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the occupied north.
- The Agriculture Ministry has implemented all-day disinfection at checkpoints following a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in the occupied north.
- Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou convened with officials and stakeholders on Monday to approve these emergency measures aimed at controlling the spread of the disease.
Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou convened with officials and stakeholders on Monday to approve these emergency measures aimed at controlling the spread of the disease.
Round-the-Clock Vehicle Disinfection
As part of the new protocols, crossing points will now feature 24-hour vehicle disinfection to ensure all vehicles travelling from occupied areas to government-controlled regions are thoroughly sanitised. Christodoulos Pipis, Director of Veterinary Services, emphasised the importance of this measure, stating, “We need to make sure there are no incidents along the livestock farms that exist all along the ceasefire line.”
Increased Inspections and Surveillance
In response to the outbreak, inspections have intensified along livestock farms near the ceasefire line. The ministry plans to coordinate with British Bases authorities, police, and farmers’ groups to enhance surveillance along the Green Line and deter illegal cross-border activities.
Guidelines for Farmers
Farmers will receive specific guidelines on establishing vehicle disinfection areas at their farms and within livestock zones. This initiative aims to bolster biosecurity measures and protect local livestock from potential exposure to the disease.
International Communication and Trade
The ministry will also reach out to Australian authorities regarding halloumi shipments currently en route to Australia. Pipis noted that no other country has announced any restrictions or trade measures against Cyprus due to the outbreak, indicating the situation is being monitored closely by international bodies.
Expert Review and Ongoing Monitoring
A recent visit by four European Union experts confirmed that the Veterinary Services are managing the situation appropriately, particularly in enforcing strict controls on entry to farms in government-controlled areas. Pipis reassured that updates on the situation in the occupied areas are received through various channels including the press and online communications.
Foot-and-Mouth Disease Specifics
Addressing concerns about the disease’s impact, Pipis clarified that foot-and-mouth disease is limited to cloven-hoofed animals such as cattle, goats, sheep, and pigs. “It does not affect any other animal species and, most importantly, it does not affect humans and has no public health significance,” he stated.
