Peasant protest in Nicosia: farmers demand compensation and an end to the slaughter of healthy animals

On April 20, 2026, livestock farmers in Cyprus held a brief protest at the entrance of the Ministry of Agriculture in Nicosia and temporarily blocked traffic at the intersection of Limassol and Athalassas Avenues, demanding a clear compensation plan and an end to the slaughter of healthy animals. Participants handed a memorandum to the Director of Veterinary Services, Christodoulos Pipis.

Producers claim that the slaughter of animals is being carried out without a clear payment mechanism. Protest organizer Stella Petrou, a farmer and butcher shop owner, told the KΥΠΕ agency that the expected compensation amounts are "ridiculous": by her calculation, an animal costs approximately 600 euros, while 113 euros is being offered.

Farmers demand a halt to the slaughter of healthy individuals and the establishment of transparent payment criteria. They also express concern that similar measures are not applied in Northern Cyprus, which, in their opinion, reduces the effectiveness of disease control actions and affects the trade of dairy products.

The report notes that foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks on the island have led to restrictive measures, including the culling of animals in infected farms. Producers warn that without specific government support, the industry risks serious damage: farm recovery could take about eight months after the last case, and the resumption of exports for some products could take up to three to five years, according to their estimates.