Emergency meeting underway at Cyprus Presidential Palace over major foot-and-mouth outbreak

On Tuesday, two consecutive emergency meetings are being convened at the Presidential Palace in Nicosia under the chairmanship of the head of state, focusing on the crisis in the livestock sector. The reason for the tough measures is the rapid spread of foot-and-mouth disease among livestock — the dangerous virus has already been detected in 120 farms . In the first half of the day, the president will meet with veterinary services and the epidemiological group, and then with representatives of agricultural organizations and the «Voice of Livestock Farmers» association.

The farmers' main demand is an immediate review of EU protocols requiring the complete culling of livestock in infected areas, as well as a substantial increase in financial compensation for the loss of animals. In addition, farmers point to the lack of real enforcement of quarantine rules, in particular the ban on grazing and moving animals. The Cypriot government is trying to find a compromise within the framework of European sanitary regulations, as the prolongation of the crisis and Brussels' strict quarantine sanctions put at risk the production and export of the country's main national product — halloumi cheese with PDO status (Protected Designation of Origin).