Farmers protest in Paliometocho over foot-and-mouth disease burial protocols

On Monday, May 11, farmers and residents of Paliometocho blocked roads to protest against the Veterinary Services' plan to bury culled animals infected with foot-and-mouth disease in the area. Protesters allege that transporting approximately 170 carcasses from other regions—up to 16 kilometers away—violates European Union protocols, which suggest burying infected animals near their farm of origin to prevent disease spread. Concerns were also raised regarding a nearby pig farm, which residents fear could become infected. Police were deployed to manage the tensions, which included verbal confrontations between protesters and officers. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Agriculture maintains that there will be no deviation from established health protocols, including the mandatory culling of livestock in infected units. Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou scheduled a meeting with farmer representatives to discuss broader industry issues, such as compensation and loan relief. Farmer organizations state that no agreements have been reached yet, leaving key demands regarding cull policies and financial support pending.