Livestock farmers in Nicosia are set to stage a protest march to the Presidential Palace on Saturday, in response to developments surrounding the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.
Participants are expected to gather at the GSP Stadium at 10am, with the protest towards the Presidential Palace scheduled to begin at 11am.
Halt to culling
According to an announcement circulating on social media, farmers are calling for an immediate halt to the blanket culling of healthy, asymptomatic animals. They are also demanding that sampling be conducted 28 days after the administration of a second vaccine dose.
Among their key demands, protesters are seeking the immediate disclosure of compensation amounts for affected farmers, as well as permission for samples to be analysed by private laboratories.
Different approach in the north
Farmers have further pointed to differing approaches in the north of the island, where, they claim, vaccination programmes are ongoing and exports continue as normal.
Organisers stressed that biosecurity measures will be observed during the protest.
The Movement of United Cypriot Hunters – Active Citizens has called on the public to take part, urging solidarity with the agricultural sector.
In a statement, the group said it was the duty of citizens to stand alongside livestock farmers and others in the primary sector who risk losing their livelihoods “from one moment to the next”.
“We declare our presence and call on every hunter and every citizen of this country to join in a common cause to stop irrational and unjustified decisions,” the statement added.