Authorities are under pressure over years of uncontrolled illegal dumping of soil and rubble on a Turkish Cypriot plot in Mouttagiaka, with MPs previously warning of a breakdown of state authority.
The issue, discussed before the parliamentary Refugees Committee on February 10, returned to the fore after Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou replied on April 20 to a question submitted by the committee’s chairman on August 5, 2025.
The illegal dumping is allegedly carried out by people involved in transporting materials. MPs were told that offenders make significant profits by charging customers to dispose of rubble at licensed sites, before dumping it illegally without paying anything.
In her reply, Panayiotou said Environment Department inspectors had repeatedly visited the plot from 2024 to date and found breaches of waste legislation concerning the disposal of soil and construction and demolition waste without the required waste management permit.
She said the activities had caused extensive landfill deposits and a significant alteration of the area’s natural landscape.
The Environment Department informed the relevant bodies, including the Turkish Cypriot Properties Management Service, as the plot is Turkish Cypriot-owned and had been leased exclusively for agricultural use.
Panayiotou said the Limassol DLGO (District Local Government Organisation) was also informed by letter on September 24, 2025, and asked to examine the case within its powers.
On January 8, 2026, the Environment Department held a meeting with representatives of the Limassol DLGO, the Turkish Cypriot Properties Management Service and local authorities, including Amathounta Municipality and the deputy mayor of Mouttagiaka, to coordinate action.
It was decided that all relevant information would be gathered and a complaint filed with the police. Environment Department officers filed the complaint at the Germasogeia police station on March 4, 2026.
Panayiotou said a further meeting was held at Limassol police offices on February 18, 2026, with all competent services. It was decided that sudden coordinated on-site checks would be carried out on pre-set dates and times.
The first coordinated check took place on March 12, 2026, when a truck was found at the site and an out-of-court fine was issued.
The minister said sudden checks would continue and, if further violations were found, the Environment Department, in cooperation with police, would issue out-of-court fines and/or submit a facts report to the Attorney-General for criminal action.
Panayiotou said inspectors can impose out-of-court fines of up to €8,000, while the chief inspector can impose fines of up to €40,000, depending on the seriousness of the offence. Courts can impose penalties of up to €500,000 upon conviction.
She also said the Environment Department had created a separate inspections branch to strengthen checks and enforce legislation. Increased inspections are being carried out, while inspectors appointed in cooperation with local authorities help enforce waste legislation.
“The issue is being closely monitored, in cooperation with all competent authorities and local government, to immediately end the illegal dumping and take the necessary restoration measures under existing legislation,” Panayiotou said.
MPs had previously called on the justice minister to take action to restore order.