Veterinary association defends members against criticism over foot-and-mouth disease culling

The Pancyprian Veterinary Association has called for an end to the public targeting of veterinarians involved in the culling of animals due to foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks. Association President Dimitris Epameinondas stated that veterinarians are mandated to follow strict European legislation, which requires the culling of all animals in an affected unit if a single case is confirmed or epidemiologically linked. He explained that culling is necessary when an animal shows clinical symptoms, tests positive, or is linked to an outbreak, regardless of whether other animals in the same unit are healthy. The association emphasized that these professionals are scientists performing a difficult duty rather than mere executors of procedures. The current European regulations are notably stricter than the international standards set by the World Organisation for Animal Health. Furthermore, the association noted that preventive vaccination cannot replace culling as a control measure, as even vaccinated animals must be destroyed if found positive. Veterinarians have expressed disappointment regarding the public criticism they face while managing this highly contagious epizootic disease.