Foot-and-mouth disease cases rise in Cyprus as farmers protest
On May 8, 2026, the Cyprus Veterinary Services confirmed two new outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Western Nicosia, specifically affecting a sheep farm with 35 animals in Kokkinotrimithia and a cattle farm with 160 animals in Paliometocho. These latest cases bring the total number of infected units in the region to 112. In response to the crisis, the government has accelerated financial compensation processes for affected farmers. President Nikos Christodoulides intervened to prevent a planned protest at the Rizoelia roundabout, successfully requesting a five-day grace period for further negotiations. The farmers' association 'Voice of Livestock Breeders' agreed to suspend their mobilization efforts pending these discussions. A meeting between Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou, agricultural organizations, and the farmers' association is scheduled for Tuesday. President Christodoulides emphasized that the government is committed to providing immediate compensation and maintains continuous communication with stakeholders to manage the outbreak.