Nicosia, Cyprus. Livestock farmers are preparing to march on the presidential palace on Friday as frustration grows over the government’s response to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. They are calling for an immediate halt to animal culls, faster compensation payments and direct intervention from President Nikos Christodoulides.
Planned protest
Members of the newly formed farmers’ union, The Voice of the Livestock Breeders, gathered at GSP stadium in Nicosia before planning to proceed, some by tractor, to the presidential palace by 11 a.m.
Association spokesperson Stella Petrou said farmers expected to be received by the president and to present their concerns directly. “We expect that the president will accept that we enter the Presidential Palace to discuss with him,” Petrou said.
She said livestock breeders were seeking an immediate end to the killing of animals, a suspension of further sampling and “proper compensation” for affected producers.
Government response
The protest came after Christodoulides said on Thursday evening that he would hold meetings next week with scientific experts and agricultural organisations to address the worsening crisis.
He said dialogue was essential in responding to the outbreak. “Without cooperation, this challenge will not be met,” he said.
Christodoulides also confirmed that an internal meeting had already taken place with senior officials, Veterinary Services representatives and appointed scientific adviser Stavros Malas.
Outbreak spread
The protest comes as the outbreak has spread to 120 livestock units across the island, with three new cases confirmed on Thursday in the Nicosia district.
