Reactions are provoked by the retroactive imposition of the environmental tax on water for farmers.

The retroactive imposition of an environmental tax on water used by farmers with private wells from 2017 to 2026 is causing strong reactions in Cyprus. AKEL MP Yannakis Gavriil, head of the Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture, called the decision unfair, highlighting the farmers' already precarious situation due to inflation, increased production costs, and drought. He denounced the unequal treatment of farmers and demanded a suspension of the decision without retroactive effect. Gavriil also criticized the similar taxation of farmers and golf courses, accusing the government of undermining the primary sector. The measure was last updated on February 4, 2026.