Newsroom
Livestock farmers in Cyprus are set to meet in the coming days to decide their next steps after failing to secure a meeting with the president over the mass culling of animals linked to the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease response.
Speaking to the Cyprus News Agency, livestock farmers’ spokesperson Stella Petrou said the group is disappointed that a request for dialogue with the presidency appears to have been ruled out.
Farmers are opposing the large-scale slaughter of infected and at-risk animals, arguing it should be suspended and replaced with alternative disease control methods. They are also calling for their proposal to be forwarded to the European Commission for consideration.
EU rules and trade concerns
However, industry representatives say the situation is not straightforward.
Nikos Papakyriakou, head of the Cyprus Cattle Breeders’ Organization, said alternative approaches were explored early after the outbreak began in February but were rejected by the European Commission.
He stressed that while farmers are under pressure, they do not want to clash with the EU or risk Cyprus’ export markets, which depend heavily on compliance with European health rules.
Funding and control questions
The breeders’ organization is also raising concerns about the management of €12 million in EU funds allocated for zoonosis control, particularly in areas outside government control.
They are calling for the European Union to take a more direct role in overseeing how the funds are used, while also pointing to what they describe as gaps in frontline checks by Cypriot authorities.
Disease situation
According to an update from the veterinary services, no new cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been detected beyond the 104 previously confirmed.
The outbreak, first announced earlier this year, has already led to widespread culling measures aimed at preventing further spread.
For farmers, however, the debate is now shifting beyond containment into how long the current strategy should continue and whether Cyprus has enough room to consider different options.
