The number of livestock units in farming areas of Nicosia and Larnaca infected with foot and mouth disease (FMD) has risen to 75, the Veterinary Services said on Tuesday, amid a parallel dispute over access to facilities in the Pergamos/ Pyla area.

The Veterinary Services said that although farmers of livestock units in Pergamos have consented and are awaiting private veterinarians to vaccinate their animals, “the occupation army is obstructing the process”, adding that the issue is being handled by the foreign ministry in cooperation with the United Nations.

Meanwhile focusing on inspections at livestock facilities within the buffer zone in Pyla, 4km south of Pergamos, the online newspaper Kibris Postasi described it as a “sovereignty issue”.

Facilities owned by Turkish Cypriots operate in the area and supply milk to the south. For this purpose, officials from the Republic’s Veterinary Services pass through the buffer zone to carry out the necessary checks.

However, according to the report, Turkish Cypriot producers have claimed on social media, posting relevant videos, that the occupation authorities recently barred entry to the Republic’s veterinarians.

The new cases of FMDare in four additional positive sheep and goat units in Geri and one cattle unit in Dromolaxia-Meneou, while sampling, tracing and laboratory testing are ongoing.

Of the 75 infected units, 15 are located in Nicosia and 60 in Larnaca, all within designated infected areas.

According to the update, the second phase of vaccinations in cattle has reached 71 per cent, while 50.5 per cent of the sheep and goat population has been vaccinated. At the same time, 84 per cent of pig units within the affected areas have so far been vaccinated.