Long-standing mistakes, significant omissions, and a lack of “solidarity” in the Cypriot livestock sector are the main conclusions of the Special Scientific Committee established by the Council of Ministers following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and with the aim ofrevitalize and rebuild the livestock sector.
Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis and the Committee’s chair, President of the Cyprus Institute, Professor Stavros Malas, presented the results of the study today, with the aim of “turning the lessons learned from this difficult experience into meaningful changes, laying the groundwork for a stronger, better-organized, and more resilient livestock sector.”
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
According to the data, a total of 121 livestock farms were affected by foot-and-mouth disease, 102 of which are located in the seven epidemiological units (i.e., livestock regions) that functioned epidemiologically as single foci. In total, 84,133 animals were culled: 3,018 cattle from 13 operations, 56,632 sheep and goats from 104 farms, and 24,483 pigs from 3 farms. To date, €17,288,069 in compensation has been paid to the affected livestock farmers, including amounts for advance payments, milk, and animal feed.
A key finding of the Special Scientific Committee’s study is that the haphazard and dense distribution of livestock farms in each province played a decisive role in the spread of thedisease.
Mr. Malas announced that Cyprus is implementing a new vaccination program to protect pigs and, as a result, there will be no pork exports for the foreseeable future. He spoke of the need to make tough decisions to protect professional pig farmers who have invested a great deal of money in their businesses and who, quite rightly, they should be given priority in the recovery measures.
“I’m not saying we don’t want small-scale livestock farmers. Obviously, they’re part of the productive sector. They’re part of our culture. But it’s the large-scale operations that supply the market, bear the greatest risk, and must be supported.”
Among the weaknesses of the livestock sector, he notes that the animal production and fattening chain in Cyprus “is not right” because it is overly concentrated on milk production. This is highlighted by the figures on the illegal movement and trade of animals from the occupied to the free areas. Mr. Malas’s findings also include the fact that the relevant government agencies responsible for managing epidemiological crises in livestock farming are unaware of the location of livestock farming zones.
During the presentation, the funds to be allocated for the reconstruction of the livestock sector, broken down by production category, were also announced
- For GOAT AND SHEEP FARMING – €372,225,000
- For COW RAISING – €134,000,000
- For SCIENTIFIC SUPPORT – €63,700,000
The Minister of Agriculture noted that today’s presentation marks the beginning of a dialogue with agricultural organizations regarding the implementation of the Plan and that “as a government, we will build on the work that has been done as a basis for future decisions and actions.”
“We will carefully consider the proposals that are presented and will continue the dialogue and close cooperation with all stakeholders so that we can move forward with substantive, workable, and long-term solutions. Our goal is for the Cypriot livestock sector to emerge from this challenge not merely restored, but stronger, more modern, more resilient, and, above all, more outward-looking and competitive.”
