The customs division, in cooperation with police, has launched an investigation right into a 75-year-old particular person for the unlawful trafficking of hay and animal feed from the north.
The inquiry follows an nameless tip obtained on Thursday indicating the man was “likely transporting hay and animal feed” by unauthorised crossing factors, customs spokesperson, George Constantinou, knowledgeable on Friday.
The particular person had been just lately concerned in the smuggling of tobacco merchandise from the north, resolved with an out-of-court settlement of €13,000.
“We were deeply alarmed and informed the police so coordinated actions could be taken to see whether the information is correct and if we can link it to the possible spread of foot-and-mouth disease,” Constantinou defined.
Authorities emphasised that the allegations stay unconfirmed.
“At this moment what exists is information and speculation,” he added.
If confirmed, any proof linking the particular merchandise to the virus will likely be collected. “It takes time, it takes a lot of effort, and we will do everything possible to make it happen,” he stated.
The investigation comes amid a wider outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in government-controlled areas, confirmed to be the similar serotype as that circulating in the north.
Veterinary companies have applied emergency measures together with lockdowns of livestock farms, vaccination of cattle inside a three-kilometre safety zone, and inoculations extending to a 10-kilometre surveillance space.
Marios Christoforou of the veterinary companies drew consideration to the function of animal feed in spreading the virus.
“From the moment that animal feed is imported from Turkey, the disease will always be imported.”
Authorities have already culled 263 cattle in Livadia, with operations ongoing in Oroklini, affecting 11 farms and roughly 13,000 animals.
The investigation into the 75-year-old is ongoing, with customs and police working to confirm the tip and decide any epidemiological hyperlink to the outbreak.
