00:00Farmers in Cyprus are threatening protests due measures taken in response to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in
00:07February.
00:08The newly formed Cyprus Livestock Association said it is ready to take strong action even if financial aid is approved,
00:16unless authorities reconsider their aggressive strategy of containing the epidemic.
00:21The association argued that European rules also allow for alternative approaches to managing the crisis.
00:28A government spokesperson, however, insisted that the response must strictly follow EU veterinary protocols and cannot be subject to political
00:38pressure.
00:40The measures are based on stamping out of infected and in-contact herds.
00:45EU-controlled measures require the rapid eradication of the virus through the immediate stamping out of infected establishments.
00:52As a result, control measures may also apply to animals that appear healthy or for which test results may not
00:59yet be available in order to prevent further spread of the disease.
01:04The outbreak has so far led to the culling of more than 38,000 sheep and goats, more than 2
01:10,000 cattle and 21,500 pigs.
01:13EU-direction of the virus through the cephalhes andalom expected.
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