Agriculture minister conducts pre-Easter market inspections in Cyprus

Cypriot Minister of Agriculture Maria Panayiotou conducted inspections of grocery stores and produce markets in the Nicosia district ahead of the Easter holidays. The Ministry of Agriculture confirmed that there is an adequate supply of products in the market, with slaughter numbers comparable to last year. Officials are conducting intensive checks on wholesale and retail meat outlets to ensure food safety and regulatory compliance. The government is prioritizing domestic livestock sourcing due to difficulties in importing animals from abroad following recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease. Authorities are also investigating reports of illegal animal movements and have performed minor product seizures during these inspections. Minister Panayiotou highlighted ongoing government support measures, including a 200 million euro package and reduced VAT on essential goods. The ministry aims to protect local farmers while ensuring price stability for consumers during the holiday season.