Four weapons are added to the Government's quiver from today with the aim of dealing with foot-and-mouth disease. This was stated in his statements to Filenews, the head of the Special Scientific Committee, Stavros Malas, sending the message that "we cannot reach 2027 and have an active virus".
Commenting on the ten decisions announced today after the end of the meeting of the President of the Republic with the epidemiological team and agricultural organizations, Mr. Malas explained that in essence the state has in its hands four basic measures such as stopping illegal transactions through the green line, the implementation of strict biosecurity measures, vaccines and surveillance with random checks or clinical trials.
The increase in the fine is a strong message
According to Mr. Malas, the first message sent by the state is that the illegal trafficking of animals through the occupied territories is the main cause. Therefore, it was decided to increase the amount of the fine for illegal trafficking of animals through the ceasefire line from €3,400, which is today, to €100,000 for the administrative and to €250,000 for the judiciary.
Essentially, as he states, "the state sends a very strong message that this normalization of commercial activity with the occupied territories that was in force and mainly concerned the movement of calves and lambs in huge numbers is a huge threat to livestock farming. And that's why he should be punished."
Killings, vaccines, detection and biosecurity measures
The second very important point, he added, is that everyone must obey the biosecurity measures, explaining that even the killing of animals is a biosecurity measure. In this context, it was decided to strictly observe biosecurity measures with more active involvement and a massive presence of the army and police.
The third, as he said, is the completion of vaccinations throughout the territory controlled by the Republic of Cyprus. It is recalled that to date, the vaccination of the second dose is 84% for cattle, 78% for sheep and goats and 41% for pigs.
Furthermore, the fourth point is the intensive detection of outbreaks of the virus both by PCR and by unit or carriers with an Elisa test.
As he explained, an animal that carries an active virus is positive with the PCR analysis method and can be negative with the Elisa method. This animal, and by extension the herd, poses a risk of transmitting the virus.
On the other hand, he continued, an animal or unit that has animals positive for antibodies, i.e. it is positive with an Elisa test, is a carrier of the virus and can potentially transmit the virus in the future.
In both cases, he added, he must be killed.
That is why, Mr. Malas stressed, "the view that only animals that are PCR positive should be killed is not scientifically substantiated."
"It is as if we accept the existence of a latent virus in herds in our country with the serious risk of condemning the entire livestock farm to destruction," he said.
Restructuring over 10 years
"My request," he continued, "is to let the Veterinary Services, with the support of the epidemiological team, do their job so that we can contain the virus and begin the reconstruction of livestock farming, a process that will take several years."
Asked how many years it is estimated that it will take, he estimated that the complete restructuring of Cypriot livestock farming on a healthier basis will take at least 10 years.
"This restructuring had to be done regardless of the existence of foot-and-mouth disease. It was necessary and imperative," he added.
The next three months are crucial
It is recalled that the other measures announced today by the Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panagiotou, concern the clear separation of the crews that carry out the killing, vaccination and sampling, the further increase of compensation for sheep and goats and the strengthening of controls at the crossing points regarding the movement of animal products.
Furthermore, as decided, the epidemiological team will hold meetings with the Veterinary Services at least once a week and at least once a week meetings with the representatives of livestock breeders and agricultural organizations.
The positive thing, as Mr. Malas said, was that today at the meeting we saw that everyone was in agreement with what has been announced. However, he added that the next three months are critical in terms of limiting the spread of the virus. "The goal is not to find any more outbreak units so that we can turn the page."
''We cannot reach 2027 and have an active virus. This will mean that things will be difficult," he stressed.
