Cyprus News Agency: News in English, 07-11-05

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From: The Cyprus News Agency at <http://www.cyna.org.cy>

CONTENTS

[01] EUROPEAN COMMISSION - CYPRUS - FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

[02] BUSH - ERDOGAN - CYPRUS PROBLEM

[03] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT - CONTACT GROUP WITH T/Cs - CYPRUS

[01] EUROPEAN COMMISSION - CYPRUS - FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE

Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment Minister Fotis Fotiou told the House Agriculture Committee that the EU has also banned the slaughter of animals.

Speaking during the meeting of the Committee which examined the latest developments, Fotiou announced a plan to support the animal breeders. The plan is expected to be tabled before the Cabinet on Wednesday for approval.

Fotiou said Monday a Dutch EU expert has confirmed that Cyprus is facing cases of foot and mouth disease at two farms.

Speaking after a meeting at Larnacas Veterinary Services in the presence of the Dutch expert, Fotiou said the Veterinary Services have extended the risk zone of 3 km around the two farms affected in the Dromolaxia area, southeast of the capital, in a broader 10-km zone.

Stressing the disease cannot be spread to humans, Fotiou said authorities are taking all measures to protect the public. At the same time, the milk produce from the 10 km zone area will be destroyed on a daily basis.

At the same time, he said after contacting President of the Republic Tassos Papadopoulos, who was informed on the developments, it was decided that the breeders will be economically compensated for their losses following the measures taken.

The Cyprus Veterinary Services went ahead earlier Monday with the culling of 300 animals in the Dromolaxia area, and the minister added that probably, more animals would have to be culled.

The EU expert, together with Cypriot veterinary services doctors, is checking to see whether there are symptoms of the disease in four other farms, said Photiou adding that samples from cattle and pigs in the affected area were taken for lab tests.

Meanwhile, Head of the Veterinary Services Charalambos Kakoyiannis called on the public and the breeders to cooperate with the Veterinary Services and monitor symptoms on animals such as blisters on their hooves and foam at the mouth.

The animals culled are buried in sites close to the farms to avoid their transportation, he added.

Head of the animal breeders association Panagiotis Constantinou said the situation was extremely sad for everyone, especially the breeders, adding that they are now trying to see whether the disease has spread and if possible how to contain it in the affected area.

In another development, the European Commission said the Cypriot authorities were taking all precautionary measures provided by EU law to handle the foot and mouth disease, noting that on Tuesday the Standing Committee on the Food Chain and Animal Health will convene to confirm the prohibition of exports.

It also said that the first results from the British laboratory were positive for the O type virus. Type O is the most prevalent of the seven types of foot and mouth.

[02] BUSH - ERDOGAN - CYPRUS PROBLEM

Although the main topic of discussion will be the Kurdish question and ways to avert a Turkish invasion of northern Iraq, Bush and Erdogan are expected to touch upon the Cyprus problem and the Armenian genocide, according to Turkish news agency Anadolu.

``I am optimistic and positive that the outcome of the meeting and the statement we will make after the meeting will relieve the public opinion,`` Erdogan said from Washington.

[03] EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT - CONTACT GROUP WITH T/Cs - CYPRUS

A press release issued by the Group said that it has a varied programme which on 8 November 2007 includes a visit to the Ledra Street cease-fire-line posts and a photo-opportunity there together with the representatives of the two communities of Nicosia Mrs Mavrou and Mr Bulutogullari. This photo opportunity will take place first on the Greek-Cypriot side and then on the Turkish-Cypriot side of the cease-fire line

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