Paphos, Cyprus. Livestock farmers in Timi and Anarita in Paphos district have voiced strong objections to new agriculture ministry measures aimed at protecting animals from foot-and-mouth disease. Farmers say the restrictions are disrupting access to their facilities and threatening the viability of their work.
Road access restrictions and operational impact
Farmers said the decision to open the roads between Timi and Anarita from 5am and close them from 7am is creating serious problems in the daily operation of livestock units. They said the measures do not reflect the needs of the profession, arguing that unit owners should have access to their facilities at any time of day.
Concerns during animal births and potential losses
Livestock farmer Argyro Ioannou said many animals are currently giving birth, requiring owners to be continuously present. She said the current measures could prevent farmers from returning to their farms before 11am or even 2pm, which she said could lead to serious losses, and she questioned who would cover the financial cost.
Farmers cite limited flexibility from authorities
Ioannou said that despite contacts with the agriculture department, the response received was limited to “these are the instructions,” which she described as a lack of flexibility.
Calls to focus oversight and limit daytime policing
Ioannou said farmers should not be left “at the mercy of God” and called for there to be no policing during the day, arguing that owners can control who enters and exits their units. She said the measures force farmers to move toward their units “like thieves,” and that oversight should be limited to night-time hours.
Requests to target external visitors rather than owners
Ioannou said livestock farmers were among the first to take protective measures and have no interest in the spread of foot-and-mouth disease. Livestock farmer Cleopatra Kyprianou from Anarita said the measures should mainly target external visitors rather than unit owners, adding that daily life has become particularly difficult and is putting the viability of livestock activities at risk.
How have the road access restrictions affected your ability to manage daily farm operations?