Dispute over compensation for livestock culled due to foot-and-mouth disease

Neofytos Neofytou, president of the Voice of Breeders organization, has raised concerns regarding compensation for livestock culled due to foot-and-mouth disease. Breeders claim that current official records held by veterinary services are inaccurate, leading to a discrepancy in compensation payments. While the government has pledged support, Neofytou reports 25 specific cases where official data fails to match the actual number of animals present on farms. Breeders are demanding compensation based on the number of animals actually culled and verified, rather than outdated registry figures. Neofytou criticized veterinary services for failing to perform routine registrations over a five-year period in facilities with high turnover. Furthermore, breeders are increasingly preemptively sending animals to slaughter due to fear of infection. The organization has requested the creation of disease-free zones to protect healthy livestock. Authorities and breeders remain at odds over who bears responsibility for the data discrepancies.