The government's roadmap for the reactivation of affected farms was presented to the House Agriculture Committee on Tuesday by Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis. The process has already begun in some areas and is expected to continue through January 2027, depending on location and laboratory results.
First farm enters recovery process
The first affected unit to begin reactivation is the farm in Pachna, where 28 sentinel lambs were introduced on Tuesday.
New samples are expected to be taken from the animals within 21 to 30 days to determine whether they remain free of foot-and-mouth disease. If the tests are negative, the restocking process can continue and production can gradually resume. If the disease is detected, the animals will be culled in accordance with established protocols.
Reactivation timetable by district
According to the Agriculture Ministry's schedule:
- Dromolaxia (37 units): second half of December
- Livadia (22 units): from late November to early December
- Oroklini (10 units): from November 24
- Athienou (9 units): first half of December
- Troulloi (1 unit): timetable linked to Oroklini units
- Alethriko (1 unit): pending completion of culling procedures
- Kiti (1 unit): first half of November
- Aradippou (4 units): date not yet determined
- Pentakomo (1 unit): end of December
- Avgorou (1 unit): end of January 2027
For units in Geri, Dali, Paliometocho, Kokkinotrimithia and Mammari, reactivation dates will depend on pending laboratory results.
The minister said the reopening period for affected units in Limassol, Larnaca and Famagusta district began on Tuesday and is expected to conclude by the end of January 2027.
Compensation measures
Senekis said more than €21 million has already been paid in compensation for the loss of animals and the destruction of feed and milk.
He added that a separate compensation framework has been prepared to cover loss of income for affected livestock farmers returning to production, with a minimum coverage period of 12 months.
The ministry is also consulting on three additional support schemes worth €10 million, aimed at rebuilding livestock populations, relocating units and easing pressure in livestock-farming areas.
Halloumi PDO under scrutiny
The discussion also focused on the impact of the outbreak on Halloumi PDO production.
The loss of 53,403 sheep and goats, representing 11.9% of the population, has raised concerns about whether Cyprus will be able to meet the requirement for at least 51% sheep and goat milk in Halloumi production by June 1, 2029, while maintaining current export levels.
Deadline for amendment proposal
Senekis said the ministry has informed sheep and goat farmers, cattle farmers and cheesemakers about deadlines set by European Union institutions regarding a possible amendment to the Halloumi PDO specifications.
"We have a critical period until March 2027 to submit a documented amendment file," he said, stressing that any proposal must be supported by actual milk production figures and comply with EU requirements.
According to the minister, the objective is to ensure that any amendment protects Halloumi's PDO status and remains achievable based on available milk quantities.
Warnings over PDO risks
House Agriculture Committee chairman and Akel MP Yiannakis Gavriel warned against changes that could jeopardise the product's protected status.
He said attempts to alter the specification file without sufficient justification carried significant risks, especially with other countries already producing halloumi-style cheese.
Gavriel also urged the ministry to consider the possibility of legal action by producer groups over the issue.
