Court rejects livestock farmer's request to stop animal culling in Dromolaxia

On June 5, 2026, the Administrative Court ruled against a livestock farmer seeking to halt the compulsory culling of his animals in Dromolaxia, Larnaca district. The animals were ordered to be culled due to an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. The farmer had filed a recourse and an interim application on June 2, 2026, to stop the Veterinary Services. Attorney-General George Savvides requested an expedited hearing, citing public health risks and the urgent need to prevent the spread of the disease. The court held a hearing on June 4, 2026, and delivered its decision the following day. The court concluded that there was no manifest illegality in the state's actions and that the farmer failed to prove irreparable harm. Ultimately, the judge ruled that public interest takes precedence over individual economic losses. While acknowledging the sadness of the situation, the court upheld the veterinary protocols to ensure public safety.