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Veterinary Director Accuses Farmers of Illegal Animal Trafficking

Published March 19, 2026, 13:06
Veterinary Director Accuses Farmers of Illegal Animal Trafficking

The Director of Veterinary Services, Christodoulos Pipis, responded to allegations made by farmers regarding threats they allegedly received during sampling procedures. Mr. Pipis accused the farmers of illegally trafficking animals, specifically 23 cattle from a farm diagnosed with foot-and-mouth disease to an unlicensed pigsty. He argued that the farmers obstructed the work of the Veterinary Services officials in implementing disease control measures. Mr. Pipis emphasized that the visit of the Veterinary Services was not for sampling, but for traceability, and that the farmers were aware of the reason for the visit. It is not ruled out that the foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in Dali and Geri may be linked to the illegal trafficking of the animals.