Rafaela Dimitriadi
The new agriculture minister has been thrown straight into the deep end. Christos Senekis took over the ministry from Maria Panayiotou on Thursday at a time when livestock farmers are up in arms over unpaid compensation for animals culled because of foot-and-mouth disease. As things stand, one of Senekis' first meetings is likely to be with livestock farmers.
Just last Wednesday, one day before the new minister took office, members of the "Voice of Livestock Farmers" staged an unannounced protest outside the Veterinary Services, demanding the immediate payment of compensation they say they are entitled to. The situation took an unpleasant turn when, following a complaint by the Veterinary Services, police arrested four people.
The portfolio handed over by Maria Panayiotou comes with plenty of challenges
The president of the "Voice of Livestock Farmers" has expressed hope that the group will meet with Senekis as soon as possible so that the outstanding issues can be resolved.
It is recalled that Veterinary Services Director Christodoulos Pipis previously addressed claims by livestock farmers that President Nikos Christodoulides had instructed authorities to pay compensation for all animals that had been culled and recorded and then impose administrative fines where necessary.
Pipis said this was "not an instruction from the President of the Republic, but a reference by him to that particular possibility."
According to Pipis, the Veterinary Services had explained to the President that the issue was not that simple. Investigations into the cases had identified possible violations of legal requirements involving the livestock farmers themselves, which could affect the compensation process.
Several complicated issues remain open
Compensation for livestock farmers is only the first test facing the new agriculture minister.
The portfolio Senekis inherited from Panayiotou comes with several major challenges, many linked to the climate crisis and the long-term survival of Cyprus' primary sector.
Water shortages and water management
One of the ministry's biggest challenges is water scarcity.
Prolonged drought and the effects of the climate crisis have increased the need to speed up projects already launched by the state.
Managing water supplies for both drinking and irrigation will be a major part of the ministry's work. At the same time, greater use of recycled water and the modernization of irrigation networks are considered essential to reduce water losses.
The new minister will also have to turn his attention to another serious problem: Cyprus' aging dams.
Keeping farming and livestock viable
Another major challenge is ensuring that Cyprus' agricultural and livestock sectors remain viable and competitive.
Livestock farmers are among the groups particularly vulnerable to the effects of climate change.
With producers facing higher costs as well as damage to crops and farms, the ministry will be expected to make effective use of available funding to strengthen the resilience and long-term sustainability of the primary sector.
PDO halloumi and protecting Cypriot production
The rules governing the production of PDO halloumi remain another difficult issue.
Following the crisis caused by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, the government issued a decree reducing the required proportion of sheep and goat's milk in halloumi from 25% to 15%. The measure will remain in force until Dec. 31.
Once the decree expires, the Agriculture Ministry will most likely have to make decisions on how the requirements of halloumi's Protected Designation of Origin status will be applied.
Halloumi has repeatedly been a source of disagreement between livestock farmers and the ministry.
Young people are leaving farming behind
One of the most damaging trends facing the countryside is the decline of farming, particularly the lack of young people entering the sector.
The abandonment of rural areas creates a need for meaningful incentives and less bureaucracy for young producers who want to work in agriculture.
The effects go well beyond farming itself. Abandoned agricultural land can contribute to a higher risk of wildfires and further deterioration and desertification of the soil.
The challenges awaiting the new agriculture minister cannot be viewed separately. They are closely connected, and unless they are addressed as part of a broader strategy, problems in one area could trigger consequences across several others.
