The Veterinary Services has announced the launch of the 'Foot-and-mouth Disease (FMD) Management Platform', a new digital tool for the electronic issuance and management of movement permits for people, animals and products affected by the restrictive measures implemented within the framework of the FMD decrees.
The platform is available at https://fmd.moa.gov.cy and is currently in Greek only.
The Veterinary Services said in a press release that through the new platform, interested parties can submit electronic applications for the issuance of movement permits (of animals, products, livestock breeders, farmers, veterinarians and other professionals), in accordance with the current restrictive measures to receive the required approvals in a faster and more efficient manner, facilitating both users and the competent services.
At the same time, they emphasised that "the transparency and reliability of the process are enhanced, waiting time is reduced and the uniform implementation of measures by all services involved is ensured, facilitating coordination in the field".
"The system replaces the process of issuing paper permits and contributes to enhancing the traceability of the movements of persons, animals and products, from the point of departure to the point of destination, including control and disinfection points, also making it possible to monitor the path of the vehicle transporting products" the press release added.
These services were developed in collaboration with the Veterinary Services and the "KIOS" Centre of Excellence for Research and Innovation of the University of Cyprus, with the aim of providing immediate and effective service to livestock breeders, farmers and citizens.
For the purposes of smooth implementation of the platform, a presentation and training of users was carried out by officers of the Veterinary Services and the "KIOS" Center of Excellence, while the provision of technical support and guidance where required.
They further added that within the framework of this cooperation, an interactive map has already been developed and put into operation, through which the protection and surveillance zones and disinfection points are presented in real time, providing a comprehensive picture of the situation and facilitating compliance with the measures applied. This tool provides a comprehensive picture of the situation, facilitates compliance with the measures applied and strengthens the operational coordination of the competent services.
Greece-Cyprus Interstate FMD Working Group meeting last week
The competent authorities of Cyprus and Greece are in communication and coordination regarding foot-and-mouth disease, within the framework of the Greece-Cyprus Interstate Working Group, which was convened on the instructions of the competent Ministers of the two countries, during their meeting on the sidelines of the Informal Council at the beginning of last month in Nicosia.
Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Andreas Gregoriou, told the Cyprus News Agency (CNA) on Monday that the meeting of the Group, headed by himself and Spyros Protopsaltis, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food of Greece, took place last Friday and was “useful and productive”, in the context of the exchange of information on the epidemiological situation in Cyprus and Greece.
Gregoriou also said that in the context of this meeting, information was requested from Cyprus on the vaccination process and controls implemented to combat the disease. It was agreed that the two sides will remain in contact and that a new meeting will be held in July.
Thousands of animals, including cattle and sheep, were affected in several livestock units initially in Larnaca and then in Nicosia district, following a foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, first reported on February 20. FMD spread to Limassol in May. This followed an FMD outbreak in the island’s Turkish-occupied areas last December. Authorities proceed with a nationwide vaccination campaign of animals to contain the virus, while EU rules require all animals in the infected areas to be culled, bringing about a series of repercussions in livestock farming and other agricultural economic activities. Halloumi, Cyprus’ top agricultural export product, has been spared. Experts reiterate that FMD is not dangerous to humans.
(Source: CNA)
