Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Reactions, Protests and Concerns over Occupied Areas

Strong reactions have been triggered among farmers following the decision of the European Commissioner for Health, Oliver Varhelyi, not to grant exemptions for the culling of asymptomatic animals in units with positive cases of foot-and-mouth disease. Mr. Varhelyi emphasized the high transmissibility and danger of the disease.

Farmers are expected to decide on their next steps, with potential dynamic mobilizations, even the closure of ports and airports. They have expressed concerns about the implementation of different protocols in the occupied areas, where vaccination seems to precede the culling of animals.

According to reports, during a meeting at the Presidential Palace, the issue of the different practices followed in the occupied areas, where there is no effective control of the situation, was raised. Farmers' organizations expressed concern about the lack of control and the increased vaccination instead of culling.

Meanwhile, DISY and AKEL are calling for the Government to take responsibility, while other parties are also criticizing the handling of the crisis.

Pig farmers are expressing particular concern as vaccines for pigs have not yet been received.