Foot and mouth cull resumes amid calls for resignations

THE CULLING of sheep and goats inside the three-kilometre foot and mouth quarantine area in Dromolaxia will resume today following a suspension yesterday to clean and disinfect veterinary equipment.

Fifty pigs in the same area will also be slaughtered as a precaution, the Veterinary Services said, as animal farmers called for the resignation of Agriculture Minister Fotis Fotiou.

Also yesterday President Tassos Papadopoulos announced the compensation package for the affected farmers, which includes £110 for each animal culled and £75 for the loss of income from each animal for the next six months, which may be extended.

Over 500 animals have been culled since Monday and another 1,500 inside the danger zone could be slaughtered to stop any possible spread of the disease.

The orders to continue the cull come from Brussels.