Livestock breeders block veterinary services in Nicosia over unpaid compensation

Nicosia, Cyprus. A group of livestock breeders blocked the entrance to the veterinary services headquarters on Wednesday, demanding immediate payment of compensation they say remains outstanding after this year’s foot and mouth disease outbreak.

The protesters parked trucks outside the office, preventing access to the building and calling on authorities to provide a clear timetable for settling unpaid claims.

Protest over outstanding claims

Participants said they had not received compensation despite losses incurred after livestock were culled during the outbreak.

The demonstration took place despite repeated government assurances that most compensation payments had been completed.

Government support package

Last month, the cabinet approved a further €6.35 million support package for affected livestock farmers. The package includes €4.85 million in compensation for livestock, milk, feed and other losses, as well as €1.5 million in targeted assistance for sheep and goat farmers.

Then agriculture minister Maria Panayiotou said the additional funding would bring total government support for the sector to €39 million.

Unresolved cases

Panayiotou said about €16 million had already been paid to affected farmers and that 15 compensation claims remained unresolved.

She said the outstanding cases involved discrepancies in livestock records or other matters requiring legal guidance before payments could be authorised.

“These files involve differences in livestock numbers or other issues that required legal guidance,” she said.

“I want to stress that these are the last 15 livestock farmers. Claims that we have not paid compensation or provided support are simply not true.”