A livestock farmer was arrested on Friday in Kofinou for assaulting a veterinary officer.

Larnaca police spokesman Spyros Chrysostomou said veterinary officers arrived at a farm in Kofinou at 11am on Friday, with a police escort, to take samples for foot and mouth testing.

The 43-year-old owner of the far attacked and kicked one of the veterinary officers and was subsequently arrested for causing bodily harm and placed in custody.

In a joint statement, the Veterinary Association, the Veterinary Council and Pasydy trade union condemned the attack.

They said that violence and threats – including death threats – and any kind of intimidation or obstruction of duty were unacceptable.

In this case, the assault happened while veterinary officers were working under hazardous conditions to maintain public health and safety.

They furthermore suggested that those resorting to violence should be left out of any payment of benefits or compensation.