There is no risk of contaminated meat ending up on the market, Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou said on Sunday after dead animals were found in Meniko last week.

“Our first concern as soon as the incident was detected was to ensure there was no risk to public health and that is why all the animals that had been placed there were immediately collected. The Veterinary Services are doing the necessary checks and of course this is something we are also looking at in cooperation with our farmers,” Panayiotou said.

Dead pigs were discovered in the village on Friday, with some carcasses exposed and others partially buried.

Asked if the animals were sick, the minister said the veterinary service has identified a disease. “But at the moment we are talking about a practice that can happen in any unit,” she said.

But the veterinary service said there is no risk of this disease being found in meat available in the market.

A vaccination schedule usually means the disease is kept under control, which is monitored. “But we are talking about a case of a particular breeder this time. We are not talking about a widespread incident,” she added.

The minster stressed that it is the responsibility of the farmer to inform the competent authorities to collect the dead animals, which did not happen.

What the legislation provides to take action against such behaviour will be enforced, she added.