Measures against foot-and-mouth disease in Cyprus

Cypriot authorities have announced strict measures to contain the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak that has reached the free areas. Following a meeting at the Presidential Palace, administrative fines for illegal animal trafficking have been increased from 3,500 euros to 100,000 euros, with judicial convictions potentially reaching 250,000 euros. Stavros Malas, head of the scientific committee for livestock reconstruction, and Dimitris Tsaltas of the epidemiological team, identified illegal activity along the ceasefire line as the primary cause of the viral entry. The government has prioritized the immediate culling of approximately 6,000 infected animals to halt the disease. Experts emphasize that the next three months are critical for the eradication process, requiring intensified vaccination programs and enhanced border monitoring by the police and the National Guard. While the current epidemiological situation is stable, officials warned that without stopping cross-border movement, the risk of re-introduction remains high. Professor Tsaltas noted that the situation in the occupied areas poses significant challenges due to limited intervention capabilities and suggested that the European Union should play a more active role.