Newsroom
Cyprus is stepping up its response to the ongoing foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, with European officials now directly involved as pressure mounts from farmers and agricultural groups over how the crisis is being handled.
European Commissioner for Animal Health and Welfare Oliver Várhelyi arrived on the island to assess the situation firsthand and coordinate efforts to contain the disease affecting livestock units.
According to officials, the commissioner met with representatives from farms impacted by the outbreak, hearing directly from livestock owners dealing with losses, restrictions, and growing uncertainty about the future of their herds.
He also held discussions with agricultural stakeholders, farming organizations, and state services involved in managing the crisis as authorities attempt to balance disease control measures with mounting economic concerns from the farming sector.
The visit comes at a sensitive moment, as livestock farmers continue to push back against precautionary measures that may include the culling of animals not yet infected, a move they argue could devastate already struggling businesses.
Later in the day, Várhelyi is scheduled to meet political party representatives before heading to the Presidential Palace for talks with President Nikos Christodoulides. Statements by the commissioner and Cyprus’ agriculture leadership are expected following the meeting.
The high-level visit follows a phone conversation earlier this week between Christodoulides and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, underscoring the seriousness of the outbreak at both national and European levels.
It remains unclear whether the president raised farmers’ demands during that discussion, particularly calls to avoid slaughtering animals that have not tested positive for the virus, an issue that has become the most controversial aspect of the response so far.
Foot-and-mouth disease spreads rapidly among livestock and can trigger strict containment rules across the European Union, often forcing authorities to take drastic preventive measures. For Cyprus, where agriculture remains a vital part of rural economies, the stakes are high: contain the outbreak quickly, or risk deeper economic damage and prolonged restrictions.
With Brussels now directly engaged, farmers and officials alike are waiting to see whether European involvement will bring relief or tougher decisions still to come.
