Nicosia, Cyprus. Livestock farmers on Tuesday presented a proposal to restart production following the foot and mouth disease outbreak after reaching an understanding with Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou during talks earlier this week.
Talks with agriculture minister
Speaking to Alpha TV, the president of the “voice of livestock breeders” Neophytos Neophytou said there was agreement on elements of the recovery framework and stressed the need for immediate steps to resume production.
He said discussions covered animal transport and the reclassification of livestock for fattening and distribution.
Concerns over restrictions and written commitments
Neophytou said current restrictions had created operational uncertainty, calling for livestock traders in “clean and independent areas” to collect animals from farms and for clarity over animal categories.
He said farmers were waiting for formal government announcements and decrees to confirm the agreements reached, warning that without written commitments “we won’t move forward”.
Longer-term reconstruction plan
The proposal also outlines a longer-term reconstruction plan for the sector following culling linked to the outbreak.
It includes the involvement of former minister Stavros Malas, who has been appointed to lead a scientific committee on restructuring and upgrading livestock production.
Designated areas and rebuilding herds
Under the proposal, designated areas would be developed for new livestock units, with farmers calling for state-backed coordination to enable rapid rebuilding of herds.
“We are moving forward today to build farms, and we are bringing animals from abroad, from Cyprus, so that animals can come in, productively, immediately, within ’26,” Neophytou said.
Biosecurity and policy stability
Farmers are seeking assurances on biosecurity measures and stability in disease management policies.
What measures do you think would help ensure stable disease management policies for livestock farmers?