Compensation payments near completion for farmers affected by foot-and-mouth disease

The Cypriot government is finalizing compensation payments for livestock farmers impacted by a recent foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis reported that over 100 farms have already received financial aid to help resume operations and mitigate income loss. While the majority of cases are settled, four farmers are still awaiting payment, a situation officials aim to resolve in the coming days.

Efforts are now shifting toward the long-term recovery of the sector. A scientific committee, led by Stavros Malas, is preparing a comprehensive restructuring plan to enhance the industry's resilience against future disease outbreaks. This plan, which addresses issues such as the geographic density of farms, is expected to be presented next week. Dr. Dimitris Epaminondas, head of the Cyprus Veterinary Association, noted that current discussions focus on preventing future risks, particularly by reviewing the close proximity of livestock facilities.