Scientific committee presents plan for reconstruction of Cypriot livestock sector

A Special Scientific Committee, headed by Professor Stavros Malas, has presented a comprehensive 12-year reconstruction plan for the Cypriot livestock sector following a devastating foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. The crisis, which led to the culling of 84,133 animals across 121 affected farms and resulted in over €17.2 million in compensation payouts, exposed critical systemic weaknesses, including the lack of biosecurity and the dangerous, dense geographic concentration of livestock units.

The proposed action plan for 2027–2038 carries a budget of €610.9 million, marking a 565% increase in funding compared to the previous decade. The strategy aims to replace the current improvised farming model with a modern, resilient framework focused on genetic improvement, facility relocation, and strict biosecurity protocols. Government officials and industry stakeholders have begun consultations to refine the findings, with the administration emphasizing that the transition is vital to ensure the long-term sustainability of the national halloumi cheese industry, which currently faces systemic risks due to supply chain vulnerabilities.