ANIMAL MOVEMENTS ARE A HEALTH BOMB - INVESTIGATIONS IN LYTHRODONTAS - WITH DRONES AND BLOCKADES THEY ARE TRYING TO STOP FOOT AND MOUTH- POLICE EVALUATE INFORMATION - Filenews 23/3 by Angelos Nikolaou
The manhunt of the Veterinary Services and the Police to limit the spread of foot-and-mouth disease is in full swing. The focus so far has been on five cases of illegal trafficking that blow up the security measures, with the latest case being a business in Lythrodontas.
However, there are strong indications of illegal trafficking of animals from other units where the virus has been detected. According to the Veterinary Services, during the procedures for killing animals in infected units, a significantly smaller number of animals was found than that recorded in the database.
The effort to stop foot-and-mouth disease comes up against dangerous practices of livestock farmers and animal traders. So far, four serious cases of illegal movements of animals, inside and outside the surveillance zones, have been identified, which are characterized by experts as "health bombs", capable of causing an uncontrolled spread of the virus in clean areas.
The authorities' investigations have brought to light a network of illegal trafficking involving both cattle and sheep and goats, with the aim of avoiding slaughter and economic loss:
Livadia: Detection of 101 cattle in an illegal premises. Laboratory results confirmed that the animals were positive for the virus, making the area a high-risk outbreak.
Geri: After a raid on a former pigsty, 23 cows were found living in miserable conditions, without any veterinary control. Fortunately, the samples came out negative, however the illegal operation of the unit is being criminally investigated.
Cherry: The most recent and provocative case. A number of 100 sheep and goats were secretly moved from a unit in Dali, which had been confined for slaughter, to Tseri.
Potamia: The authorities are investigating another case of illegal movement of 30 sheep and goats, for which, as for the case in Tseri, the results of laboratory tests are awaited.
Lythrodontas: In a new serious development, the authorities have been informed of another movement of 100 sheep and goats which were allegedly illegally transported to the area. Police and Veterinary Services are investigating the case.
The operation in Tseri was reminiscent of a police movie. Following information that a well-known animal trader "fled" animals to escape extinction, a team of the Veterinary Services with a strong police escort surrounded the unit. The Police guarded the premises throughout the night to prevent new movement, while with the first light of day the sampling and taking of statements from owners and employees began.
"The transfer of animals from an infected area, such as Dali, to a 'clean' area such as Tseri, undermines the efforts of the state and puts the livestock of the entire province at immediate risk," said a source in the Veterinary Services.
The government makes it clear that there will be no tolerance. For all cases of illegal trafficking, heavy administrative fines, criminal prosecutions against the owners have already been launched, while they will not receive any compensation from the state, not even for animals that have been killed within the framework of the legislation. Furthermore, controls are intensified at road junctions and livestock zones, even with the use of drones, in order to detect illegal movements of animals to monitor and prevent the spread of the virus, in violation of the relevant decree.
The aim of testing and sampling is to identify possible animal movements that may be associated with confirmed cases. This helps to protect herds and limit the spread of the disease.
Authorities warn that non-compliance with biosecurity protocols not only carries a risk of spread, but also heavy penalties. It is recalled that violators face fines of up to €5,000 and complete loss of the right to compensation.
The next few hours are considered critical, as the results from Tseri and the fourth affected area will determine the scope of quarantine measures that will be imposed in the province of Nicosia. Animal movements and gatherings of livestock farmers are one of the most important factors in the spread of the foot-and-mouth disease virus. For all cases, the Health Centers apply the measures provided by law, while the Police investigate the incidents in order to proceed with the legal actions.
At the same time, two serious issues were observed: Some livestock farmers obstruct the controls that the KYs are obliged to carry out.
During the animal slaughter procedures, a significantly smaller number of animals was found on some farms than is recorded in the identification and registration system of the KYs, which constitutes a violation of the legislation. Competent authorities are investigating whether the illegal movement or concealment of animals may have contributed to the spread of the virus.
Offenders lose their compensations
The Veterinary Services remain in a state of utmost alert, as the map of the spread of foot-and-mouth disease is expanding. With two new cases detected over the weekend in the Larnaca District, the total number of infected units rose to 44, at a time when the Ministry of Agriculture and the prosecuting authorities are intensifying controls to crack down on illegal actions that endanger the entire livestock sector.
According to the latest laboratory results, the virus "hit" a unit of 16 sheep and goats in Dromolaxia and a large cattle unit with 193 animals in Meneou. Both farms are located within the already monitored infected zone. At the same time, the process of slaughter continues in Livadia, with the tragic toll so far reaching 22,000 sheep and goats and 2,000 cows.
On the prevention front, vaccination is progressing at a satisfactory pace, having covered 89% of cattle and 65% of sheep and goats throughout Cyprus, while the process of the second repeat vaccination has already begun.
In a parallel development, the Ministry of Agriculture clarifies the landscape around public reports of a farmer about orders to "break doors". Circles of the Ministry emphasize that Ms. Panagiotou never gave such instructions, underlining that the only order to the officials is the strict implementation of the legislation.
"Based on Article 9.1 of the Animal Health Law, authorized veterinarians have the right to unhindered entry into premises where there is a reasonable suspicion of carrying out work regulated by the Law," it is characteristically stated, clarifying that access is necessary for the protection of the public interest. It is emphasized that offenders are exempt from any compensation.
Livestock farmers are sources of infection
The mobilizations and gatherings of livestock breeders are of particular concern to the Veterinary Services. Experts warn that the virus is transmitted by air and also mechanically through clothing, shoes, vehicles and even breathing. As they note, the mass gatherings turn the livestock farmers themselves into sources of infection for their units.
Furthermore, they clarify that laboratory tests can distinguish vaccine antibodies from those of natural infection, debunking unsubstantiated reports that cause confusion. They note that the tests detect antibodies to the virus and clarify that antibodies from the vaccine are not considered a positive case. Veterinarians, they note, can distinguish vaccine antibodies from those derived from real infection.
The Special Advisory Committee, which includes all stakeholders (agricultural organizations, scientists, livestock breeders), is working feverishly to determine fair compensation. It is clarified, however, that no advance payment will be paid if the killing has not been completed in accordance with the protocols and if there is no full compliance with the instructions.
Investigating and evaluating information about animal trafficking, police say
The Police are in the process of investigating and evaluating the information in order to secure testimonies that indicate that there is indeed a specific trafficking of animals from specific premises, said the Lieutenant of the Communication Branch of the Police Headquarters, Christodoulos Konsolos.
Asked in relation to foot-and-mouth disease and the reports of illegal animal trafficking, Mr. Konsolos noted that "so far all these are being investigated".
The Police, he said, "in cooperation with the Veterinary Services, are conducting examinations and evaluating information". He noted that there is no conclusion, nor any substantial finding so far and added that the information is daily.
Mr. Konsolos stated, at the same time, that the Police from the first day assists and supports the work of the competent Services, in the context of the execution of their duties. "We are in various places where it is judged that we need to support the work of the Veterinary Services, mainly by closing the roads and areas indicated by the Veterinary Services, as well as we have increased patrols during the night to prevent such phenomena," he added.
Answering a relevant question, Mr. Konsolos said that there are increased and more intensive patrols along the green line.
