Farmers dispute compensation and containment measures regarding foot-and-mouth disease

Following a meeting on Tuesday with Agriculture Minister Maria Panagiotou, the group 'Voice of Farmers' expressed strong dissatisfaction with the government's compensation package for livestock culled due to foot-and-mouth disease. Farmers, represented by Stella Petrou and Neofytos Neofytou, argue that the compensation criteria were set by agronomists without sufficient input from those in the industry. The Ministry has finalized the rates, which are expected to be approved by the Council of Ministers on May 13, 2026. Farmers also expressed concern that containment measures in the Republic of Cyprus are ineffective if equivalent protocols are not enforced in the northern occupied areas, potentially leading to the virus's return. Additionally, stakeholders criticized a new decree reducing the minimum percentage of goat and sheep milk in Halloumi PDO from 25% to 15%. Farmers are holding a meeting in Choirokoitia to decide on their next steps, including the potential for mobilization. Meanwhile, the government is coordinating with the European Commission to encourage the adoption of disease protocols in the north.