Politis

Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Allegations of 'Floating Corpses' - Veterinary Services Respond

Published March 5, 2026, 17:15
Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Allegations of 'Floating Corpses' - Veterinary Services Respond

New allegations have surfaced regarding violations of safety protocols during the burial of dead animals due to foot-and-mouth disease, brought to light by ecologists who published photographic material showing carcasses floating in burial trenches. The complaints concern the lack of sealing of the trenches, with the risk of groundwater and soil contamination, as well as the transport of infected carcasses in open trucks, increasing the risk of disease spread. The Veterinary Services, responding to the allegations, expressed regret over the publication of the photographs, emphasizing the need to respect those who are losing their animals, but assured that the trenches comply with all health regulations, with the coordinated cooperation of five government departments and the use of special sealing and disinfection materials. In a statement, the Veterinary Services argued that the photographs do not reflect reality and that the complaints are causing unrest among farmers and the public. They also stressed that the burial process follows specific specifications and that it would not be right to publish images that could cause panic, as would happen in the case of human burials. The government has already approved the first package of compensation for affected farmers, with amounts up to 50,000 euros per unit.