Livestock farmers protest against culling measures for foot-and-mouth disease in Cyprus
A newly formed association called 'The Voice of Livestock Farmers,' representing approximately 200 members, is protesting against the mass culling of livestock due to a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak in Cyprus. The group has issued an ultimatum demanding an urgent meeting with President Nikos Christodoulides by the end of Monday to address concerns regarding the management of the virus. Their proposals include an emergency vaccination strategy, mandatory secondary testing for animals, and targeted isolation rather than total herd culling. Government officials, including the Director of Veterinary Services Christodoulos Pipis, emphasize that the current measures strictly follow European and international protocols to prevent the further spread of the virus. A delegation recently met with Stavros Malas, head of the specialized scientific committee, who confirmed there is no scope to deviate from these European protocols. The protesters have warned of dynamic mobilizations if their meeting request remains unanswered by Wednesday. The government maintains that it is in constant consultation with agricultural organizations and that controlling the virus remains the absolute priority.