Cyprus’ Veterinary Services have rejected criticism from the Green Party over the handling and burial of animals culled due to foot‑and‑mouth disease, saying all procedures follow strict technical and environmental standards.
The agency said burial sites are selected based on criteria set by state authorities, including the Environment Department, Water Development Department, Agriculture Department and Geological Survey. Officials said geological and hydrological conditions are assessed and that sealing and disinfection measures are applied to limit viral load and protect the environment.
According to the statement, the burial trench is sealed in line with technical specifications, and liquids observed at the site are disinfectants used as part of biosecurity protocols. The transport of culled animals is carried out over very short distances within the infected zone and does not involve movement outside the affected livestock area, the agency said.
Authorities said the trench will be sealed immediately after all animals from the affected unit are euthanized, in accordance with established protocols. They added that odors during burial are expected in such operations and are not linked to disease transmission.
The Veterinary Services said they continue to work with European authorities to contain the outbreak and warned that selective publication of photographs without full context misleads the public. The agency said it remains available to provide complete information and again urged strict adherence to biosecurity measures.