Cattle farmers still waiting for gov’t FMD damages compensation

AMMAN — Farms affected by foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) are still awaiting redress and compensation from the government, according to a stakeholder.

On Wednesday, Agriculture Ministry’s Spokesperson told The Jordan Times that “currently all governmental procedures are underway, and are being taken duly into account”. Through a well-established action plan, the ministry seeks to minimise the negative economic impact of the disease on cattle farms, the spokesperson added.

President of the Cooperative Society Ali Ghabayen, on the other hand, told The Jordan Times that “the economic situation of the farms operating under the umbrella of the cooperative, is very difficult at the moment”. 

Ghabayen noted that the delay in compensation will “definitely” lead to the need for more recovery time in order for the affected farms to return to pre-FMD operational conditions.

Clear and prompt responses from the government are needed, Ghabayen said, noting that “a couple of weeks” have passed since the last meeting with the ministry, and “nothing has changed”.

Previously, the Cooperative Society for Cattle Owners agreed on the compensation package, which stipulated that each farm would receive JD20,000 in total compensation from the Agricultural Loan Fund.

On Wednesday, The Jordan Times contacted Chairman of the Dairy Cattle Cooperative Laith Al Hajj, who was unavailable for comment.