Cyprus outlines recovery plan for livestock sector after foot-and-mouth disease
Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis presented a roadmap to the House Agriculture Committee regarding the reactivation of livestock units affected by the recent foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. Out of 126 impacted units, the government aims for the majority to resume operations safely by the end of December 2026. This process has already begun with the placement of indicator animals at a farm in Pachna, which will be monitored for 21 to 30 days.
Beyond initial containment and €20 million in compensation for culled livestock, feed, and lost milk, the government is launching three additional support schemes totaling €10 million. These initiatives, based on a report by a scientific committee led by Stavros Malas, focus on restocking with high-genetic-value animals, relocating farms to safer areas, or providing options for voluntary retirement from the sector. Compensation for income loss is structured in two stages, covering a minimum of 12 months. The proposals will be discussed by an advisory committee on November 18 before seeking state aid approval.
Additionally, the Ministry is addressing long-term sustainability and production costs, including measures for agricultural fuel and potential modifications to PDO Halloumi specifications to maintain export volumes amid shifting milk production ratios.