Livestock farmers are considering blocking access to the Presidential Palace after the expiry of an ultimatum they issued to the President of the Republic, demanding changes to the policy of culling animals due to foot‑and‑mouth disease.
Speaking on Politis Radio 107.6 and 97.6 on the programme “Defteri Matia”, the spokesperson for the “Voice of Livestock Farmers” movement, Stella Petrou, said farmers will meet on Tuesday evening to decide what measures to take. She warned that they may remain on the roads for up to two or three days until the cull is revoked.
Petrou said culling operations continued on Tuesday in Geri and Athienou. “Of the one thousand animals due to be culled today, only two were found positive,” she told the station.
Asked about the farmers’ core demand, Petrou said they are calling for the culling of infected animals only. She referred to a European protocol which, she said, provides that once animals are vaccinated, authorities should wait 28 days before retesting, and if illness persists, take another sample after 15 days. “It is not right to cull them immediately as soon as they test positive,” she said.
She added that the movement will decide later on Tuesday what dynamic measures it will take to have its demands heard. An announcement is expected on Wednesday morning. Petrou said the organisers will contact police to obtain the necessary permits before proceeding with any mobilisations.