Representatives of FMD-affected cattle farms demand compensation from gov’t

AMMAN — Associations representing cattle farms stressed the need to accelerate the compensation of farms affected by foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), given the severity of the damage endured.

The President of Al Dhuleil Dairy Cattle Association, Ali Ghabayen, told The Jordan Times that “cattle farms have experienced significant losses and are in dire need of financial assistance.”

The necessary files have been already handed over to the Agriculture Ministry’s damage control committee, and it has been agreed upon that compensation will consider three main aspects: dead cattle, low milk yield and cattle medication.

On the same note, the Chairman of the Dairy Cattle Cooperative, Laith Al Hajj, said that the economic consequences of the disease have been significant, exceeding JD20 million.


He also mentioned that “the recovery might need a couple of months, so the support should not be for a limited time but for the duration of the necessary recovery period”.

The Ministry of Agriculture previously said that it had established a plan of action and developed a “clear roadmap” and is committed to helping affected farmers.

Agriculture Minister Khalid Hneifat, in his most recent meeting with representatives of cattle farms, revealed that “supporting affected farmers is a priority”.