Livestock farmers have moved onto the Rizoelia roundabout, partially blocking traffic, as their protest against the mass culling of animals due to foot-and-mouth disease intensifies.
Farmers closed the upper section of the roundabout and the lane below it leading towards Ayia Napa, leaving one lane open. Protesters lined up vehicles along the road and brought chairs, signalling their intention to remain on site for hours.
More than 100 police officers are on the ground managing traffic diversions.
Farmers’ representative Stella Petrou said the protesters chose today deliberately, timed to coincide with the arrival of EU leaders for the summit working dinner in Ayia Napa. “We will not leave unless the cullings stop,” she said.
The farmers set a 2:00 pm deadline, warning that if the President does not come forward to confirm the cullings will stop, they will announce further measures at 2:15pm and escalate every two hours after that.
Speaking to CyBC earlier on Thursday, Petrou said: “We will not stop until the cullings are called off. We will fight this, we will not let it go. We will take it as far as we can. We see situations — they see numbers.”
Farmers are also calling on the government to review the compensation scheme for affected livestock owners and are handing out information leaflets to passing drivers.
EU leaders arriving at Larnaca airport will be transported to the Famagusta free areas via alternative routes to avoid the disruption.
