Newsroom
Cyprus authorities say they will spend more than €35.6 million compensating livestock farmers and helping them rebuild their herds after an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease that led to widespread animal culling earlier this year.
The Ministry of Agriculture said in a detailed statement that payments cover not only the value of animals that had to be killed but also losses linked to destroyed feed and milk, with compensation already beginning on May 13 and expected to be completed within the month.
The government moved to clarify how payments were calculated, following public criticism and confusion over the methodology used to assess the value of affected animals.
According to the Veterinary Services, compensation rates were set by special committees appointed by the director of Veterinary Services. These committees took into account factors such as market prices, breed quality, genetic value, age, and the productive status of each animal.
Farmers also submitted invoices to reflect real market conditions, while three-member assessment committees carried out on-site evaluations to determine final payouts based on each animal’s characteristics.
Officials said agricultural researchers and livestock representatives were also involved through a special advisory committee overseen by the agriculture minister.
Beyond animal losses, farmers are receiving full compensation for milk and animal feed that had to be destroyed during containment measures, based on recent farm invoices before the outbreak.
The ministry provided several examples of payouts. In one cattle farm with 269 animals culled, compensation for livestock reached €476,280, with an additional €22,632 for destroyed feed and €10,087 for milk losses. In another case involving 195 cattle, total compensation for animals stood at €350,000, plus additional payments for feed and milk.
Sheep and goat farmers are also included in the scheme. In one unit where 1,368 animals were destroyed, compensation for livestock reached €306,569, along with more than €47,000 in additional payments for feed and milk. Smaller farms received lower payouts depending on herd size and losses, with one case amounting to just under €16,000 for animals alone.
Compensation rates vary widely depending on species, ranging from €47 to €420 for sheep and goats, €150 to €2,500 for cattle, and €35 to €5,000 for pigs.
Authorities say the financial support is only the first phase of a broader recovery plan. Farmers who choose to restart production will also receive at least 12 months of income support, covering labor costs, loans, social insurance, and other obligations while their farms recover.
A separate state-backed livestock reconstruction scheme will help farmers restock with genetically high-quality animals, with subsidies adjusted according to productivity and value. The state will also cover feed costs during the recovery period.
In addition, each affected farmer will be assigned a government official to guide them through rebuilding their operations.
Officials estimate the total support package will exceed €35.6 million, describing it as a long-term effort to stabilize the livestock sector after one of the most serious animal health incidents in recent years.
