Livestock farmers block roads in protest over animal cull

Livestock farmers blocked roads in Larnaca on Saturday as protests intensified over the mandatory killing of animals linked to the outbreak of foot and mouth disease.

Farmers first gathered early in the morning in the livestock area of Oroklini where they sought to prevent veterinary officials from entering units to carry out culling measures.

Protesters blocked roads leading to the farms and positioned vehicles across access routes while police officers were deployed to the scene to monitor the situation.

Anger among farmers was symbolised by a coffin placed on the roof of one of the vehicles at the protest site.

Despite heavy rain and poor weather conditions, farmers remained in the area saying they would not allow the animals of a colleague to be destroyed.

The protest later spread to Aradippou where farmers blocked the road linking Aradippou with Athienou.

Agricultural organisations were expected to brief producers there on the outcome of contacts with government officials and the European animal health commissioner, Oliver Varhelyi.

Farmers were due to decide their next steps following the meeting and warned that further action could follow.

One affected livestock farmer expressed the emotional toll of the measures saying that although authorities have promised that animals would eventually be replaced, the damage went beyond financial loss.

“They tell us they will bring us other animals but if you destroy my state of mind, if you destroy me as a person, what will become of us?” he remarked.

Farmers from several districts including Paphos and Limassol travelled to Oroklini to support the protest.

Larnaca deputy police-chief Stavros Foukaris was present and held discussions with demonstrators who insisted they would remain in the area and prevent officials from entering the farms.

Government spokesman, Konstantinos Letymbiotis, said the authorities respect the right to protest but warned of the health risks associated with gatherings near infected areas.

 “It is a very contagious virus and you understand that if there is a gathering it will increase the risk of spread.”

The protests come as Cyprus enforces strict European Union rules requiring the destruction of all animals in farms where foot and mouth disease has been detected.

Varhelyi said during a visit to the island that full compliance with the measures remained the only effective way to contain the outbreak.

Authorities have already culled more than 13000 animals across the island as part of efforts to prevent further transmission of the highly contagious disease.

Officials warn that suspending the measures could allow the virus to spread rapidly and threaten the wider livestock sector and the country’s ability to trade animal products within the European Union.