Cyprus faces foot-and-mouth disease outbreak with mass culling
An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Cyprus has resulted in the culling of 14,000 sheep and goats, along with 1,100 cattle, with 10,000 more animals awaiting assessment. European Commissioner for Health Olivér Várhelyi warned that the risk of total contagion remains high unless strict protocols are followed. The government has formed a seven-member Scientific Advisory Committee to manage the crisis. Public and political frustration has emerged, with critics accusing the administration of delaying preventive actions that were known to be necessary since December. President Nikos Christodoulides maintains that the government has a recovery plan to support farmers and cover lost profits. Meanwhile, the Department of Forests has closed two public viewing sites at Platania and Stavros tis Psokas as a precautionary measure to protect the native mouflon population. Opposition parties, including DISY and AKEL, continue to demand accountability and more robust support for the agricultural sector.