Newsroom
Cyprus’ Veterinary Services say they have stepped up inspections across farms and animal-related facilities as authorities tighten enforcement of emergency measures aimed at containing foot-and-mouth disease.
The checks, carried out under a government decree introduced this year, have focused on farms, animal movement points, and transport activities linked to livestock production.
Officials said the inspections are not symbolic; they are already leading to penalties.
So far, eight administrative fines totaling €45,000 have been issued for violations, mainly related to breaches of movement restrictions. In addition, six more serious cases have been forwarded to police for criminal investigation.
The Veterinary Services said enforcement is being carried out “consistently and strictly,” with the aim of protecting livestock, safeguarding animal production and limiting any further spread of the virus.
Authorities are also continuing intensive on-the-ground checks, warning that compliance is not optional.
At the same time, officials are pointing to what they describe as a key driver behind the spread of the disease: human movement.
According to veterinary experts reviewing the latest epidemiological data, transmission risks are closely linked to the movement of people, vehicles, equipment and potentially contaminated materials between farms and locations.
In other words, it’s not just animals that matter in this outbreak, how people move between sites is now seen as a critical factor.
For that reason, authorities are again urging farmers, transporters and anyone involved in livestock operations to strictly follow biosecurity rules, including hygiene protocols and movement restrictions.
They warn that even small lapses can carry wider consequences for the entire sector.
“Strict adherence to biosecurity measures remains essential to stopping the spread of the virus,” the veterinary services said, reinforcing that the rules apply across the board and are being actively enforced.
With inspections continuing at pace, officials say more checks and potential penalties should be expected as Cyprus tries to keep the outbreak under control.
