Two additional infected livestock units have been identified in Cyprus, bringing the total number of cases of Foot-and-mouth disease to 44, according to the Veterinary Services.
The latest cases involve a unit of 16 sheep and goats in Dromolaxia and a cattle unit with 193 animals in Meneou, both located within the designated infected zone in the Larnaca area.
Authorities said epidemiological investigations, sampling, contact tracing and laboratory testing are ongoing as part of efforts to contain the outbreak.
Vaccinations and culling
According to the latest update, vaccinations have reached 98% of cattle units and 65% of sheep and goat units across Cyprus. A second round of booster vaccinations has already begun.
At the same time, culling operations are continuing, with around 21,000 sheep and goats slaughtered so far, particularly in the Livadia area.
The Veterinary Services, in coordination with the police, are also continuing operations to identify illegal animal movements. So far, four such cases have been detected, with authorities taking action in line with legislation.
Responding to claims by a farmer that officials had been instructed to break down doors, authorities clarified that no such directive had been issued by Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou Georgiadou.
According to the Veterinary Services, the minister has consistently instructed officials to apply the law. Under existing legislation, authorised veterinarians and inspectors have the right to enter premises where they reasonably believe regulated activities involving animals are taking place, in order to carry out their duties.
Farmers protest
Meanwhile, livestock farmers staged a protest outside the Presidential Palace in Nicosia, demanding an end to the mass culling of animals.
Protesters first gathered at the GSP Stadium before marching to the Presidential Palace, where they delivered a memorandum to the Ministry of Agriculture’s Director General.
Farmers from various parts of Cyprus—including Geri, Kofinou and Limassol—carried a black coffin as a symbolic gesture, saying that “every day one is added”.
A strong police presence was in place, and part of the main avenue outside the Presidential Palace was closed during the demonstration.
The protesters voiced strong opposition to the measures being implemented to tackle the outbreak, citing insufficient information from the Veterinary Services. They also complained about arrests of farmers resisting sampling procedures and called for official documentation justifying the culling of their animals.