Delays in compensation payments for Cypriot farmers affected by foot-and-mouth disease

Cypriot farmers who lost their livestock due to foot-and-mouth disease face further delays in receiving compensation for lost income. Neophytos Neophytou, President of the 'Voice of Farmers' organization, confirmed that recent culling and suspected cases have hindered the reactivation process for affected agricultural units. Neophytou maintains that there is currently no active foot-and-mouth virus circulating in Cyprus.

Following a meeting with over 200 affected farmers on Friday, October 31, the organization discussed the procedures for the income compensation scheme. Farmers are awaiting a formal written proposal from the Ministry, which is expected to be delivered next week. The planned framework requires the introduction of sentinel animals to the affected sites for testing purposes; compensation payments are conditional upon these units being declared disease-free through subsequent examinations. The delays in the re-population and testing process are directly impacting the speed at which financial support can be disbursed to the affected producers.