A group of livestock farmers has issued an ultimatum to President Nikos Christodoulides, demanding a meeting by Monday afternoon amid mounting frustration over the handling of the foot and mouth disease outbreak.
The warning followed a meeting on Saturday between a three-member delegation from the newly formed association “The Voice of Livestock Farmers” and Stavros Malas, head of the Scientific Committee for the Reconstruction and Upgrading of the Livestock Sector and President of the Cyprus Institute.
Speaking to CNA after the meeting, farmers’ representative Christodoulos Christodoulou said Malas briefed them on the current trajectory of the outbreak and the next steps being considered.
However, the farmers reiterated their demand for a direct meeting with the President, expressing dissatisfaction with the government’s response so far.
“The government’s approach is unacceptable. They are planning for tomorrow, but they do not care about today,” Christodoulou said.
He added that Malas had been tasked with planning for the future, while responsibility for the current situation lies with the Veterinary Services, the President and the government.
“They have no solution, no plan. The President has until Monday afternoon,” he said.
Christodoulou warned that if the President does not agree to meet with their association, farmers will proceed with new protest measures.
Source: CNA