The Council of Ministers approved today the first support package for livestock farmers affected by foot-and-mouth disease.
Specifically, this is an advance payment for the loss of income of up to 50 thousand euros per livestock unit, depending on the number of animals. “This is a first, immediate and substantial intervention, which reflects our determination to support the primary sector at a critical time. At the same time, it was decided to establish a special committee with the participation of the Veterinary Services, the Department of Agriculture, the Agricultural Research Institute, as well as representatives of livestock farmers and agricultural organizations. The committee will work to determine a personalized compensation package, so that each livestock farmer receives the support he really needs for his full reactivation. Disease-free areas have already been identified in other states, so that the transport of animals to Cyprus is possible, after of course the disinfection and complete liberation of the affected areas from the disease,” the Minister of Agriculture said in her statements.
Our goal, he said, is clear: “the immediate payment of the advance payment and fair, targeted support and compensation, so that our livestock farmers can return to production as soon as possible. From the very beginning, we stated that no livestock farmer will be left alone. And we prove it in practice. No one will be left exposed to their financial obligations. The state stands by them in practice with determination and respect for their efforts and labors.”
