Cyprus government addresses foot-and-mouth disease protocols in occupied areas

On Tuesday, government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis stated that the Republic of Cyprus is in continuous contact with the European Commission regarding the management of foot-and-mouth disease. He addressed concerns raised by farmers regarding the lack of protocol implementation in the occupied areas. Letymbiotis emphasized that adherence to EU veterinary regulations is a mandatory obligation rather than a confidence-building measure. He noted that Turkish Cypriots receive EU funding and support, which carries specific responsibilities regarding health and safety. The government has raised the issue with the European Commission and relevant technical committees since the first cases were identified. Officials expressed hope for cooperation to protect the primary sector and ensure alignment with scientific veterinary standards. Additionally, the spokesperson commented on upcoming public demonstrations ahead of an informal EU Council summit scheduled for April 23 and 24, affirming that the right to protest remains respected.