fmd compensation — fmd compensation — Farmers are voicing their discontent over the government’s compensation package related to the recent foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, with potential protests on the horizon if their concerns remain unaddressed.
Fmd compensation: Disagreements Persist Despite Negotiations
On Wednesday, representatives from the “Voice of the Livestock Farmers” association, including spokeswoman Stella Petrou, expressed frustration following a meeting with Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou. Petrou stated that despite ongoing negotiations, the issue of compensation continues to be a major sticking point.
“When the discussion came to the compensation issue, we remain at loggerheads,” Petrou told the Cyprus News Agency. She added that farmers have not been adequately informed about the criteria used to calculate compensation payments.
Details of the Compensation Package
The government approved a package that includes five support measures aimed at assisting farmers affected by the outbreak. These measures encompass:
- Compensation for culled animals
- Income support for up to 12 months for farmers wishing to restart operations
- Restructuring support for farms with high genetic value animals
- Coverage of feed costs during recovery periods
- Appointment of a state officer for each affected farmer
Compensation amounts vary significantly based on the type of animal: compensation for sheep and goats ranges from €47 to €420, for cattle from €150 to €2,500, and for pigs from €35 to €5,000. The specific payments are determined based on factors such as age, gender, and genetics.
Government’s Position on Compensation
During her announcement earlier in the day, Minister Panayiotou confirmed that the government intends to commence payments immediately, with plans to finalise all eligible payments by May. President Nikos Christodoulides noted that the compensation package is “up to 200 per cent higher” than similar payments in other European countries, citing the government’s fiscal policy as a reason for this disparity.
Farmers Demand Clarity and Representation
Despite the government’s claims about the package’s advantages, Petrou maintained that farmers are not satisfied with the framework without clear criteria on compensation calculations. She stated, “The amount of compensation is quite high compared to other European countries, but without knowing the criteria and what they give for each animal more clearly, we cannot say that we are happy.”
Additionally, Petrou expressed concerns regarding the composition of the advisory committees involved in determining compensation, arguing that livestock farmers are underrepresented among the decision-makers. “Those who decided on the compensation are not livestock breeders. Most of the members of the committees were agronomists and farmers,” she claimed.
Future Actions on Compensation Dispute
The association is scheduled to meet in Choirokitia on Wednesday evening to discuss the recent negotiations and consider potential actions, including protests. Petrou indicated that while demonstrations remain a possibility, they would only be a “last resort.”
Concerns Over Animal Burial Procedures
Farmers have also raised alarm over the management of animal burials following the culls related to the FMD outbreak. Petrou alleged that the disposal procedures have not adhered to official guidelines, stating, “We cannot ask for protocols for the killing of animals and when we bury the animals, no protocol is applied.”
She highlighted specific issues, including the depth of burial pits, which she claimed are often not deep enough. “Official guidance requires animals to be buried nine metres deep and treated with lime before being covered,” she explained, adding that in some instances, the pits were only six metres deep.
Petrou warned of potential environmental and public health risks, particularly with summer temperatures rising. “In the Athienou area, the stench has already started,” she noted.
Critique of Dairy Policy Changes
In addition to their grievances regarding the compensation package, farmers have voiced opposition to a forthcoming decree that would reduce the minimum proportion of goat and sheep milk required in PDO halloumi from 25 per cent to 15 per cent. Petrou stated, “We do not find the decree correct. We will fight for this as well.”
Looking Ahead
Despite the ongoing disputes, Petrou expressed some optimism about the containment of the FMD outbreak, noting that vaccination efforts are progressing well. “We are at the end of the vaccination, we are on a very good track, and we believe that the killings will stop,” she concluded.
