Official registration of 3,000 foot-and-mouth disease cases in Cyprus

Veterinary services in Cyprus have officially registered approximately 3,000 cases of foot-and-mouth disease identified in five livestock farming units located in Avgorou, Dromolaxia, Alethriko, Aradippou, and Pentakomo. Christodoulos Pipis, Director of Veterinary Services, clarified that these are not new outbreaks but historical cases detected during the summer, which were delayed in formal reporting pending consultations with the European Commission regarding epidemiological conditions and vaccination protocols. With these additions, the total number of recorded cases has risen to 126, while the total number of culled livestock due to the disease has reached 52,632, representing 11.5% of the national stock.

Authorities confirmed that the infected animals are scheduled for culling in the coming days. Affected farmers are expected to receive compensation for their animals, lost milk production, and support for potential business reactivation, following the same framework as previous cases. Neophytos Neophytou, President of the 'Voice of Farmers' association, has expressed strong dissatisfaction with the government's handling of the crisis, citing a lack of progress. He is demanding an immediate meeting with authorities to secure written commitments regarding compensation processes and support for the affected farmers before the culling procedures proceed.