Farmers protest against animal culling measures in Cyprus

Over the past two months, the group known as the Voice of Livestock Farmers has been protesting government-mandated animal culls aimed at controlling disease outbreaks. Reports on the total number of culled animals vary significantly, with estimates ranging between 35,000 and 70,000 sheep, goats, pigs, and cattle. The government maintains that halting the cull would lead to severe economic and legal repercussions from the European Union. Critics of the protest movement have questioned the group's motives, noting that some members continue to oppose culling even after their own herds have already been destroyed. Currently, a specific case involving livestock owned by a priest in Pachna remains one of the few publicized procedures still pending. While the government faces pressure to stop the culls, officials such as Neofytou and Petrou have shifted the discussion toward compensation packages for affected farmers. There is no clear indication of new leadership or expanded membership within the Voice of Livestock Farmers since the movement began. The state continues to face challenges in balancing public health directives with the demands of the agricultural sector.