Cyprus’s foot-and-mouth outbreak has reached 54 infected units after two new cases were confirmed in the Dromolaxia-Meneou area, all within the existing infected zone in the Larnaca and Nicosia districts. The new cases involve a small number of goats and sheep.
Veterinary Services spokesperson Soteria Georgiadou said consumers faced “no risk whatsoever from consuming meat and dairy products” ahead of Easter, adding that controls at abattoirs and points of sale had been stepped up to protect public health and prevent the virus spreading.
The second dose has reached 60 per cent of the cattle population but only 27 per cent of goats and sheep; within the infected zone, pig vaccination stands at 73 per cent.
Authorities are aiming to complete the second dose across all animals by the end of April. Epidemiological investigations in other districts have so far returned negative results.
The total cost of the crisis is currently estimated at €28 million. The Agriculture Ministry has begun issuing advance payments, with disbursements reaching €215,460 so far.
Farmers who lost more than 50 animals are eligible for advances of up to €50,000, and compensation for milk destroyed during the outbreak is expected before Easter.
Beneficiaries have been asked to submit tax returns and production data so individual files can be compiled covering lost income — including wages and depreciation — for the period their units remain inactive.
Five farming organisations — PEK, EKA, Panagrotikos, Nea Agrotiki Kinisi, and Evroagrotikos — have written jointly to the President of the Republic, accusing the authorities of delays and calling for the process to be accelerated.
They are demanding full compensation within 90 days for animals that were culled, at market value and in line with EU regulations, and want the state to cover the cost of importing replacement animals from abroad.