Foot-and-mouth disease outbreak triggers agricultural crisis on Cyprus

An outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has been confirmed at 34 farms in the Larnaca region of Cyprus. Under European Union Regulation 2020/687, authorities are required to cull the entire herd at any farm where at least one animal tests positive for the virus. To date, 269 cows and 13,897 sheep and goats have been destroyed across nine farms. Dimitris Epaminondas, president of the Pancyprian Veterinary Association, stated that these measures are legally mandated and offer the only means of containment for the highly contagious disease. Conversely, local farmers argue that strict compliance with these EU rules could destroy 50% of the island's livestock sector. The industry warns that such losses will cause lamb prices to spike from 10 euros per kilogram to as much as 30 euros by the upcoming Easter holiday. President Nikos Christodoulides met with farmers at the presidential palace on March 8 and promised to discuss potential alternative solutions with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. Meanwhile, the veterinary department has enforced strict biosecurity measures, limiting access to affected quarantine zones.