Cyprus presents a twelve-year plan to overhaul the livestock sector

On September 11, 2026, the Special Scientific Committee, led by Professor Stavros Malas, presented a comprehensive twelve-year action plan (2027–2038) at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia to recover and restructure the Cypriot livestock sector. The initiative follows the recent foot-and-mouth disease crisis, which affected 121 farms and resulted in the culling of 84,133 animals, including 56,632 sheep and goats, 24,483 pigs, and 3,018 cattle. To date, approximately €17.29 million has been paid in compensation to affected farmers.

The proposed strategy aims to address systemic weaknesses, such as disorganized land use, poor biosecurity, and a lack of national policy. The plan involves a total investment of €610.9 million, representing a 565% increase in funding compared to the previous 2014–2025 period. Key structural reforms include genetic improvement of livestock, relocation programs to reduce high-density farming zones, and the implementation of strict biosecurity protocols.

Minister of Agriculture Christos Senekkis stated that the government will utilize these findings to transition to a more resilient and sustainable production model. Ongoing consultations between the government, agricultural organizations, and industry stakeholders have commenced to finalize the implementation framework, which also includes temporary restrictions on pork exports to support new vaccination measures.