Foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Cyprus raises concerns for halloumi production

A foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Cyprus has emerged as a significant agricultural and political concern, threatening the island's halloumi production. The Israeli newspaper Maariv reports that the virus is spreading across the Green Line, complicating containment efforts. The Republic of Cyprus, adhering to European Union regulations, mandates the culling of entire herds when a single animal tests positive. In contrast, Turkish Cypriot authorities have opted for a mass vaccination strategy. Nicosia officials argue that this divergent approach leaves infection sources active and is insufficient for the island as a whole. Panikos Hambas, Secretary General of the Union of Cypriot Farmers, and Christos Papapetrou, President of the Panagrotiki Union, have both called for uniform sanitary standards across the entire island. They emphasize that the biological environment does not recognize political divisions. Farmers in the Republic of Cyprus have expressed frustration regarding the current situation and the lack of a unified response strategy.