Members of the “Voice of Farmers” organisation set up a roadblock on the Pachna–Prasteio road on Thursday morning in an attempt to prevent Veterinary Services from culling animals that tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease at a small family livestock unit in Pachna.
The farmers, following an emergency assembly held on Wednesday, are demanding immediate retesting of the positive samples, a review of the overall handling of the crisis, and a clear government plan for the way forward.
The farm’s owner, Father Christos, told philenews that his animals show no symptoms of disease and called for the tests to be repeated. He said Veterinary Services had informed him that 12 animals had been infected with the virus, and asked that only those confirmed positive be culled rather than the entire herd.
Father Christos said only he, his father and the officials carrying out inspections enter the unit, and that disinfection and spraying are carried out regularly. He added that the animals do not leave the unit, leaving open the question of how the infection occurred.
Farmers have also blocked the only road leading to the unit, preventing anyone from passing through, he said.
A CyBC crew that went to the area to film was met with threatening behaviour from farmers.
Meeting at community council
A meeting at the Pachna community council concluded on Thursday, attended by Limassol Police Director Stelios Aristeidou, community leader Andreas Savvas and a number of local farmers. The meeting was held to allow farmers to present their requests and positions.
Savvas told reporters that farmers are requesting a second analysis at the farm. “Decisions cannot be taken on the basis of a single test,” he said, adding that the farmers’ request must be passed to the state. He said the farm should be given an extension until Tuesday, a second test carried out, and only then should the animals be culled.
“Farmers agree to allow Veterinary Services to enter the pens to take samples,” Savvas added.
On the incident involving the obstruction of Veterinary Services, Savvas said he was not fully informed and could not take a position on it.
Earlier on Thursday morning, a separate meeting was held at the office of the Limassol Police Director, attended by the Limassol District Director of Veterinary Services and the Pachna community leader. The meeting was held without the presence of journalists.
This is the second confrontation between farmers and Veterinary Services in Pachna in as many days. On Wednesday, a group of farmers blocked roads, assaulted two female Veterinary Services officers and stole foot-and-mouth samples during a planned inspection operation.
