Cabinet meets to address foot-and-mouth disease crisis in Cyprus
The Cypriot Cabinet is meeting on March 16, 2026, to finalize a support plan for the livestock sector following an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. As of the latest reports, there are 38 affected units, with laboratory tests confirming no new cases as of Saturday. The European Commission has designated the entire territory of the Republic of Cyprus as a 'further restricted zone' effective until May 1, 2026, due to concerns over the slow implementation of culling protocols. Statistics indicate that approximately 16,000 animals have been culled, representing 50% of the total in affected units, while other sources cite 14,000 sheep and goats plus 1,100 cattle already culled with 10,000 more pending. EU Health Commissioner Olivér Várhelyi visited the island on Friday to emphasize the necessity of adhering to strict European protocols for mass culling. President Nikos Christodoulides announced that the government will provide full compensation to farmers for lost livestock and income, alongside efforts to import new animals to restock farms. The Agriculture Committee of the Parliament is also scheduled for an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis.