Livestock farmers protest over foot-and-mouth disease culling policies in Cyprus
On April 23, 2026, livestock farmers organized a protest at the Rizoelia roundabout to demand a suspension of mass animal culling policies linked to outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease. The Ministry of Agriculture reported that as of recently, 104 units in Nicosia and Larnaca have been affected, leading to the culling of approximately 37,000 sheep and goats, 2,200 cattle, and an ongoing culling process for 21,000 pigs. While the government is conducting vaccinations and sampling, farmers argue that blanket culling in farms with minimal infections is unjustified. Financial support is being provided to affected farmers, with 21 out of 31 eligible applicants receiving advanced payments of 21 euros per head for sheep and goats. Agricultural organizations have distanced themselves from the protests, condemning the actions as irresponsible and prioritizing dialogue over street mobilization. Police have implemented security measures to manage traffic and ensure the peaceful conduct of the event, citing the Public Gatherings and Parades Law of 2025. Demonstrators have threatened to escalate their actions if they do not receive a positive response from the President by the afternoon.