Stavros Malas addresses foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in livestock

As of April 21, 2026, the Special Scientific Committee for the reconstruction of the livestock sector reports that 101 out of 490 tested units have tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease, an infection rate of approximately 20-22%. Stavros Malas, head of the committee, stated that the outbreak's spread, particularly in Western Nicosia, is linked to poor biosafety practices and the movement of animals without proper disinfection. The committee is currently evaluating new measures to manage the crisis while ruling out the restocking of livestock from foreign sources. Instead, officials aim to rebuild the sector using resilient local breeds and modern farming standards. Meanwhile, livestock farmers have expressed concerns regarding the sector's future, with the president of the Pig Farmers Association, Petros Kailas, noting that many producers are reluctant to resume operations. While farmers have called for protest measures, Malas has invited a group to discuss the situation further on Saturday, advising against premature actions. Officials emphasize that the current livestock model requires significant reorganization to ensure long-term sustainability and biosecurity.