Farmers protest movement of foot-and-mouth infected hay in Larnaca district

On October 30, 2026, tensions rose in the Troulloi region of Larnaca as local farmers and livestock owners protested the Veterinary Services' plan to transport hay bales infected with foot-and-mouth disease. The hay originated from livestock units in Oroklini that had been affected by an outbreak requiring the culling of animals. Farmers feared that transporting and burning the material near active livestock facilities in Troulloi would lead to the transmission of the virus, which had not previously been detected in their area.

Following the protests, Minister of Agriculture Christos Senekkis intervened, echoing a similar suspension of the operation that occurred several days prior. While initial reports indicated the materials were destined for an open rural area near active farms, other sources suggested the Veterinary Services intended to bury them in an abandoned quarry. Minister Senekkis confirmed that after consultations, specifically with the Mayor of Aradippou, a decision has been made to relocate the disposal site away from the initially proposed location in Troulloi to prevent further public unrest and biological risk.