Newsroom
The Cypriot government has finalized two new financial relief packages totaling €6.35 million to support livestock farmers recovering from a major foot-and-mouth disease crisis that began on February 20, 2026. This newly approved funding increases total state support for the sector to €39 million, with agricultural authorities projecting that these allocations will cover the remaining outstanding claims for lost livestock, milk, and feed supplies.
Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou announced that the first newly authorized allocation consists of €4.85 million intended to clear all remaining standard compensation files. Up to this point, the government has distributed €12,755,619 to local farmers. This sum includes €10,848,755 paid out to 90 individuals for animal culling losses, €882,415 issued to 85 beneficiaries for destroyed animal feed, €594,969 given to 54 beneficiaries to offset the loss of discarded milk, and €429,480 distributed as early advance payments to 40 farmers.
A separate €1.5 million package has been designated exclusively for sheep and goat farmers. Minister Panayiotou explained that this specific allocation targets small-scale and semi-professional units, reflecting the unique difficulties faced by this branch of local farming and its connection to the production of Halloumi cheese.
Epidemiological status and herd culling data
The crisis, which officials state impacted the entire primary economy and local supply networks, saw its last active case recorded on June 10, 2026. In total, 121 farms became infected over the course of the outbreak. Authorities executed culling orders on 119 of those holdings, resulting in the elimination of 80,133 animals.
A break-down of the culled livestock reveals that the disease claimed 11.5 percent of the country's registered sheep and goats (52,632 animals), 7.8 percent of its pig population (24,483 animals), and 3.5 percent of its cattle population (3,018 animals). Two specific herds were spared from the culling protocols: a group of 403 fat-tailed sheep and a population of 32 indigenous red cows.
To manage the aftermath, the Veterinary Services have initiated a nationwide testing and surveillance program across all districts. Concurrently, a mass vaccination campaign is underway throughout Cyprus. Currently, 87 percent of cattle, 67 percent of sheep and goats, and 41 percent of pigs have received both their initial and secondary vaccine doses.
Parliamentary debates and transitional measures
The administrative management of the crisis was scrutinized heavily during a session of the Parliamentary Agriculture Committee, where several lawmakers and farming union leaders voiced frustrations regarding systemic delays and financial losses. Senior Veterinary Officer Sotiria Georgiadou revealed that investigators are currently auditing seven specific farming units where livestock movements occurred despite the animals testing positive for the virus.
The government is addressing 15 remaining farmer files that contain discrepancies regarding livestock numbers or require specific legal clearance from the Legal Service. Acting Director General of the Veterinary Services Yiannos Ioannou stated that investigators are assessing whether negligence or personal culpability contributed to the infections on those specific properties before finalizing their payments.
Though the state recently issued a fifth revised decree easing certain transport limitations, officials clarified that these changes are strictly monitored and do not represent a complete return to standard operations. Bans on open field grazing remain in place to prevent different herds from mixing.
Looking forward, a dedicated state committee led by Stavros Malas has been given until the end of July to present a formal study detailing how the country can safely replenish its lost animal populations, after initial plans to import livestock from overseas were deemed unfeasible. Additionally, the Ministry of Agriculture is preparing a proposal for the Council of Ministers to introduce an extra 15 percent compensation top-up for sheep and goat breeders, while the transition period allowing adjustments to Halloumi milk ratios remains flexible until 2029 based on available raw milk volumes.
