Newsroom
Veterinary Services have moved to a heightened state of readiness after a confirmed case of foot-and-mouth disease was identified in the occupied areas of the island. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Veterinary Services Director Christodoulos Pipis said authorities are treating the situation as critical and have activated emergency monitoring procedures.
Pipis made the comments during a visit to supermarkets in the Famagusta district ahead of the Christmas period, alongside Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment Maria Panayiotou. The minister confirmed that all relevant services are on alert and that preventative measures have been intensified nationwide.
The outbreak has already had international repercussions. Panayiotou revealed that Australia has temporarily suspended imports of Cypriot products following the detection of the disease in the occupied territories. She stressed, however, that Cyprus had begun taking action well before receiving formal notification from Australian authorities. Since the outbreak became known, the Veterinary Services have implemented 16 targeted measures, including stricter inspections and expanded controls across the island.
According to the minister, information is being assessed on a daily basis, and authorities are closely watching how the situation develops, particularly with regard to shipments currently en route abroad. Earlier this week, the Veterinary Services held an extended meeting with all stakeholders, at the minister’s direction, to outline additional biosecurity requirements for livestock facilities.
Pipis said Cyprus has been in continuous contact with both the European Commission and Australian authorities. He noted that Australia is reviewing the data submitted by Cyprus and may reconsider its decision, potentially adjusting the list of products currently excluded from import. Efforts are also underway to determine whether shipments already on their way to Australia can be accepted rather than rejected or returned.
He added that a European Commission expert delegation, requested by Cyprus at an early stage, visited the occupied areas two days ago to assess the outbreak and overall conditions. Their findings are expected to inform further decisions.
Describing foot-and-mouth disease as highly contagious and capable of spreading through the air, Pipis acknowledged that absolute containment is extremely difficult. Nevertheless, he emphasized that all possible measures are being taken to prevent the virus from entering government-controlled areas, with close coordination among national and international bodies.
Finally, Pipis dismissed claims circulating in the occupied territories that the disease originated in areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus and spread through illegal trade. He described the allegations as baseless, noting that EU experts have confirmed the disease’s severity and epidemiological characteristics would make any attempt to conceal cases impossible. Based on the available evidence, he said, the accusations do not stand up to scrutiny.
