Cyprus addresses foot-and-mouth disease crisis and livestock farmer protests
Cyprus is facing a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak affecting 110 farms across Larnaca and Nicosia, with losses reaching approximately 10% of sheep and goats, 3% of cattle, and 8% of pigs. Minister of Agriculture Maria Panayiotou issued a fourth decree prohibiting the movement of cloven-hoofed animals, feed, and equipment to prevent further spread. While the government is finalizing a compensation framework for culled animals and post-outbreak reactivation, farmers are protesting against culling policies mandated by European Union regulations. Kyriakos Kailas of the Panagrotikos Association expressed optimism regarding the new support packages, which include 12 months of lost income coverage. Conversely, the "Voice of Livestock Farmers" group, led by representatives like Neofytos Kasapis and Stella Petrou, claims that dialogue with the President has failed and has scheduled a multi-day protest at the Rizoelia roundabout starting May 8. Official authorities emphasize the necessity of vaccination and strict biosafety measures to protect the agricultural sector, while farmers argue for more comprehensive support and alternatives to mass culling.