Cyprus’s Council of Ministers has approved €35.6 million in compensation and support measures for livestock farmers affected by the foot-and-mouth outbreak that erupted in February 2026, Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou announced following the cabinet session.
The package, developed in cooperation with farming organisations and representatives of cattle, pig and sheep-and-goat farmers, covers five distinct measures ranging from immediate compensation for slaughtered animals to income support, livestock restocking and individual government advisers for each affected farmer.
The crisis grew significantly beyond initial projections. Affected units rose to 110 from the 39 originally estimated, and pig farms were also infected, pushing the total compensation bill for slaughtered animals alone to €13.9 million — an increase of €6.5 million on the figure approved in March.
What the package covers
Measure 1: Compensation for slaughtered animals
Farmers whose animals were slaughtered will receive immediate compensation based on a methodology developed by the Agricultural Research Institute. According to Panayiotou, the rates are significantly higher than EU average prices and will be paid without requiring farmers to submit receipts or supporting documents.
Compensation rates per animal are as follows: sheep and goats, €47 to €420; cattle, €150 to €2,500; pigs, €35 to €5,000.
Measure 2: Income loss support
Farmers who choose to restart their operations will receive income loss support for at least 12 months. The total fund for this measure is estimated at €8.6 million, with payments calculated on the basis of an individualised assessment of each unit’s actual supporting documents.
Measure 3: Livestock restocking
A dedicated state aid scheme will be created for the acquisition of high-genetic-value animals, overseen by a scientific committee headed by Stavros Malas. Where the cost of purchasing new animals exceeds the compensation received, the state will subsidise the difference.
Measure 4: Feed costs
The state will cover the cost of animal feed during the transitional period when newly acquired animals are not yet contributing to the farmer’s income.
Measure 5: Individual government adviser
A government official will be assigned to each affected farmer to provide personalised guidance and support throughout the recovery process.
Advance payments to cover immediate needs
To address immediate financial needs ahead of the main compensation payments, the Council of Ministers also approved de minimis aid of up to €50,000 for sheep-and-goat and cattle farmers, available regardless of the number of animals they held. For pig farmers, an advance of €120 per sow was approved, also capped at €50,000 per unit. All advances will later be offset against the final compensation amount.
What the minister said
“On the basis of their recommendations, and on the basis of the methodology developed by the Agricultural Research Institute, as well as the support provided by the Department of Agriculture and the veterinary services, the Council of Ministers approved the five measures relating to the support of our farmers,” Panayiotou said.
On the compensation rates, she said they “are much higher than the average rates given in the European Union and are compensations which farmers will receive without submitting any supporting documents.”
Panayiotou said the measures were drawn up jointly with farming organisations and farmer representatives.
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