Nicosia, Cyprus. The government confirmed on Wednesday that about €4.5 million in compensation will be paid to farmers after roughly 13,000 animals were culled due to the rapid spread of foot-and-mouth disease. Infections have been confirmed in 11 livestock units in Livadia, Oroklini, Troulloi and Aradippou.
Outbreaks and containment measures
The culling was carried out in an effort to halt further transmission after infections were confirmed in the affected livestock units. Veterinary services said the outbreaks remain under continuous epidemiological investigation, focusing on tracing how the virus entered and spread between farms.
Vaccine deliveries and EU support
The European Commission confirmed that 529,000 vaccine doses will arrive in the coming days, supplementing an initial batch of 10,000 expected to be delivered from the north on Wednesday. Specialists from the EU veterinary rapid response team, Euvet, are advising on vaccination strategy and supporting local services.
Compensation package for farmers
The compensation package is intended to cover the market value of animals and related losses, including feed and milk, as farmers warn that entire livelihoods have been wiped out within days.
Testing near the Green Line and crossing measures
Laboratory testing carried out on January 28 within a three-kilometre radius along the Green Line examined 130 farms in the government-controlled areas, with all results returning negative. In the absence of additional cases in the north at that stage, disinfection measures at crossing points were subsequently lifted.
Ongoing inspections and police inquiries
Veterinary services said inspections of livestock units continued and that farmers remained under obligation to apply strict biosecurity measures, which they said were maintained despite the easing of controls at the crossings. Police are assisting inquiries into whether cases were concealed or reported late, with authorities arguing that delays in notification gave the virus critical time to circulate.
What steps are you taking to follow biosecurity measures for your livestock?
