Cypriot farmer accuses veterinary services of illegal actions during inspection

Professional farmer Paraskevos Loizou has accused the Veterinary Services of Cyprus of illegal actions during an inspection of his farm in Geri as part of measures to combat foot-and-mouth disease.

According to his lawyers, veterinary inspectors entered the farm premises without prior notice and without the presence of an authorized person. After the owner refused to allow them onto the site, the police were called.

The farmer's side claims the man was taken to a police station, where he spent about four hours before being released.

The lawyers also state that veterinary staff entered the farm in the owner's absence and later reported positive cases of foot-and-mouth disease. Meanwhile, the farmer contends that the decision to cull the animals was made without transparent information or documentation of the services' actions.

The law firm has sent an official request to the Veterinary Services and the Ministry of Agriculture, demanding a full report on the inspectors' actions.

According to the lawyers, the decision to eliminate the animals was made before detailed explanations were provided, which they believe violates the farm owner's rights.