The European Commission has reiterated that culling remains the primary response to outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease, while confirming that limited exceptions may be applied under strict conditions.

In a statement to the Cyprus Mail, a European Commission spokesperson said rapid containment measures are essential to control the spread of the highly contagious disease.

“To return to normality as quickly as possible, all animals in infected farms must be culled, there has to be a standstill on the movement of animals and their products in the surrounding zones, and reinforced biosecurity and surveillance measures are required,” the spokesperson said.

They noted that foot-and-mouth disease can spread quickly and over long distances, posing risks beyond individual farms.

“FMD is highly contagious, can easily spread over long distances rapidly and can affect other animals in the herd, establishment and even region. It is also transmitted through air and wind, which creates an increased risk of neighbouring farms becoming infected.”

The Commission said its approach is based on established scientific knowledge and experience in managing outbreaks.

“Our protocols and laws governing animal diseases are based on long-standing scientific expertise and practical experience. We know this is the only effective way of bringing the situation under control,” the spokesperson said.

The remarks come amid ongoing discussions in Cyprus over how best to manage potential risks to indigenous livestock populations.

EU legislation does provide for derogations from the standard “stamping out” policy, which requires the immediate culling of animals on infected farms, but only in specific and tightly controlled circumstances.

One option allows authorities to postpone the killing of animals following a risk assessment, provided emergency vaccination is applied and additional measures are taken to mitigate risk.

Another allows for exemptions within separate epidemiological units on the same farm, where disease is not present and there is no epidemiological link, subject to testing and investigation.

The Commission also pointed out that exemptions may be considered for what it described as “very special animals”.

These include animals kept in zoos, those used for scientific purposes, and livestock of particular conservation importance, including endangered or protected species and officially registered rare breeds.

Animals with “a duly justified high genetic, cultural or educational value” may also be eligible.

However, any such decision must meet strict requirements.

“If a competent authority decides to apply a derogation, it must conduct an impact assessment, ensure the measure is proportionate and that it fully complies with EU animal health law,” the spokesperson said.

The framework reflects the need to contain outbreaks quickly while allowing, in limited cases, consideration of other factors such as conservation and genetic value.

Whether such provisions are applied in practice is determined at national level by the competent veterinary authorities.