Cattle farmer in intensive care after heart attack as foot-and-mouth disease culling continues in Cyprus

Yeri, Cyprus. A 60-year-old cattle farmer was admitted to intensive care on Saturday after suffering a heart attack shortly after his animal unit tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease. His holding, understood to include around 300 animals, is scheduled for culling under state containment measures.

Farmer hospitalised after infection confirmed

The incident occurred after veterinary services confirmed infection at the farmer’s holding. The farmer was taken to hospital and remains in intensive care.

Related: Foot-and-mouth culls delay compensation for Cyprus livestock farmers, breeders’ group says

RelatedFoot-and-mouth culls delay compensation for Cyprus livestock farmers, breeders’ group says

Dispute over compulsory culling measures

The development comes amid escalating tensions between livestock farmers and authorities over the government’s policy of compulsory culling to contain the outbreak.

The agriculture ministry has rejected calls from farmers to halt the destruction of healthy animals within infected units, maintaining that Cyprus is following European Union regulations governing foot-and-mouth disease protocols. Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou has repeatedly said the measures are legally required.

Officials have also warned that any suspension of culling would breach EU animal health rules.

Protests and enforcement actions

On Thursday demonstrations reached a peak when farmers effectively closed the Rizoelia roundabout, calling for the president to intervene after an unsuccessful meeting with the agriculture minister.

Authorities reiterated that “without cooperation and an end to the demonstrations, the dialogue cannot continue.”

Veterinary services have issued eight fines totalling €45,000 for illegal animal movements linked to the spread of the disease, and six further cases have been referred to police.

How do you think authorities and farmers should address the dispute over compulsory culling during the outbreak?