Financial toll of FMD persists as farmers await compensation

AMMAN — The effects of the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) continue to linger, resulting in a wide range of economic losses that are taking their toll on infected farms, according to a stakeholder.

According to recent Agriculture Ministry figures, 789 cows and 919 calves have died of FMD, representing 4 and 21 per cent of the total number of cows and calves in Jordan, respectively.

The ministry statement also showed that milk yield decreased by around 29 per cent in February.

In response to the FMD situation, the ministry has formed a specialised committee to contain the disease, and organised a national FMD vaccination campaign.

Speaking with The Jordan Times, Chairman of the Dairy Cattle Cooperative, Laith Al Hajj, stressed that the compensation scheme for farms affected by the disease “is clear”, explaining that compensation will consider three main aspects: dead cattle, low milk yield and cattle medication.

“We demand to have three-way compensation, and having compensation only for one area will not help sector operators who are currently struggling to meet their financial commitments,” he said.

Hajj added that as of now, three files have been prepared and delivered to the ministry. He estimated that “current losses have surpassed JD35 million.”

Previously, Hajj also highlighted that the economic burdens brought by the disease also include medical expenses and laboratory testing costs.