Brussels: A spokesperson for the European Commission confirmed to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) that outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) have been reported in one cattle-breeding unit and two large sheep- and goat-breeding establishments in Livadia, Larnaca District, Cyprus. The Commission will send 529,000 doses of vaccines to Cyprus in the coming days, while dairy products, such as halloumi, will continue to be available in the European Union market.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Cypriot authorities have implemented all necessary control measures in line with EU legislation, including epidemiological investigations and laboratory testing. The European Commission emphasized the importance of immediate and decisive action in affected farms and restricted zones. Measures include the killing and disposal of animals, disinfection of premises, movement restrictions, strict biosecurity, and intensive surveillance, all in compliance with EU law.
The Commission also announced the deployment of an EU expert team (EUVET) from February 24-27 to assist Cypriot authorities in combating the disease, advising on vaccination use, and developing an emergency vaccination plan. The mission aims to provide scientific, technical, and practical assistance while gathering information for follow-up recommendations.
Emergency measures to address the outbreak will be adopted at the EU level within the week. The Commission's spokesperson highlighted the importance of fighting animal diseases as part of the EU's animal health policy and the 'One Health' approach. The Commission remains in constant contact with Cypriot authorities and applies disease control measures immediately upon outbreak reporting.
In case of a confirmed outbreak, the Commission will define restricted zones around affected establishments and the duration of these zones. Measures include the killing and disposal of susceptible animals, cleaning and disinfection, movement prohibitions, and intensive surveillance within 3-km and 10-km zones and the wider restricted area. Susceptible animals cannot leave the restricted zone except for immediate slaughter within Cyprus.
The Commission acknowledges the trade implications, noting Cyprus' status as free from foot-and-mouth disease has been suspended, leading to a temporary suspension of exports of FMD-susceptible animals and untreated animal products to third countries. The Commission urges third countries to respect regionalisation principles and avoid imposing bans on exports from the entire territory of Cyprus once stability is restored.
Regarding dairy products, milk from establishments with an outbreak or suspected outbreak must be safely disposed of. If emergency vaccination is implemented, risk-mitigation measures, including movement bans on raw milk, will apply. Derogations are possible for heat-treated milk and dairy products, such as halloumi, that are at least pasteurized, allowing continued placement in the EU market.