Cyprus risks being excluded from the European Union’s single market if it unilaterally ends the culling of animals affected by foot-and-mouth disease, Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou has warned. Speaking to the parliamentary agriculture committee, Panayiotou made it clear that any decision made without the European Commission’s consent would result in “economic suicide.”
“A unilateral decision would lead to Cyprus’s exclusion from the single market,” she cautioned. The consequences would extend beyond dairy products to include restrictions on the movement of people, passengers, and even tourism, evoking the dark days of universal lockdowns.
The rapid spread of foot-and-mouth disease in 38 farms in the Larnaca district has left the government with an uncompromising dilemma: continue the painful mass culling of animals or end it unilaterally, which would mean immediate expulsion from the EU market.
Minister Panayiotou’s discussions with the European Commissioner responsible for the matter revealed that, in the event of a unilateral move, restrictions could be imposed not only on trade but across various sectors. “Restrictions will be imposed on the movement of products, people, passengers, and tourism,” she explained, adding that no mention had been made of specific product categories such as livestock, but rather the trade overall.
Panayiotou reiterated that the government is working at both the political and technical levels to secure flexibility from Brussels, aiming to halt the mass culling of animals showing no clinical symptoms of the disease.
Cyprus is now anxiously awaiting the European Commission’s response following a request from President Nikos Christodoulides to Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission President, for an exemption.
The stakes for halloumi are high, with 35% of the country’s cattle population located within the 10-kilometre disease zone.
Agricultural organisations and lawmakers are pressing for the use of PDO (Protected Designation of Origin) status as a point of leverage. Panikos Hambas, the General Secretary of the Cyprus Farmers Union (EKA), emphasised that “the animals that produce halloumi are unique,” calling for a halt to the culling and a full shift to vaccination. However, Regulation 2020/687 stipulates that vaccination without culling requires a special exemption; otherwise, the country’s products will be considered contaminated for the international market.
The critical challenge for all involved parties is to contain the foot-and-mouth virus within the 10-kilometre zone around Oroklini, Livadia, Aradippou, Troulloi, and Dromolaxia. To this end, 99 mobile disinfection units and 27 automated disinfection systems have been set up in these farming regions. Additionally, 500 officials from 16 different services are working around the clock. To date, 238,000 vaccine doses have been administered, prioritising high-risk areas.
Behind the numbers, human tragedies unfold. Farmers who witnessed 2,000 of their animals being slaughtered in a single day speak of total financial ruin. “I had an income of €100,000 per month, and now I am at zero,” said a devastated producer during a parliamentary session.
The government promises personalised compensation and a plan to replenish the livestock population from disease-free countries, but for farmers, time is running out.
Opposition parties criticise the government’s handling of the crisis, accusing it of delays in responding to initial outbreaks discovered in the occupied areas last December. Lawmakers from all parties are calling for an immediate halt to the culling of vaccinated units, asserting that EU law allows for alternative solutions following a proper risk assessment.
Containment Plan
Following the discovery of outbreaks, initially in the occupied areas and then in the free zones, the Veterinary Services have engaged in a race against time to save the livestock. Once information on outbreaks in occupied Laphos became known, the Veterinary Services called in the EU’s expert team (EUVET), which conducted on-site inspections.
Additionally, Customs, the Police, and the British bases have been deployed for thorough checks at crossing points, while large-scale disinfectant mats have been installed.
It is noted that in January 2026, following 130 negative tests within a 3km radius of the Green Line, measures at the checkpoints were temporarily lifted after a scientific risk assessment.
Since February 20, Larnaca has been at the centre of the restrictions. 24-hour checkpoints and disinfection systems have been set up in the protection and surveillance zones, specifically in the livestock units of Aradippou, Livadia, Kellia, Troulloi, and Oroklini. Furthermore, additional checkpoints have been established in Alethrico, Klavdia, Anglisides, Kofinou, Kalo Chorio Larnaca, Athienou, Avdellero, Tersefanou, and Dromolaxia. Entry into these areas is allowed only with special permits. At the same time, the movement of animals and animal feed has been banned nationwide, except for transport to slaughterhouses under strict protocols.