Compensation totalling €12,755,619 has been paid so far to livestock farmers affected by foot-and-mouth disease, while the total number of animal culls has reached 80,133, Agriculture Ministry Director General Andreas Gregoriou told the Parliamentary Agriculture Committee on Tuesday.
The committee reviewed measures to prevent the spread of the disease, and support affected farmers, with agricultural organisations calling for faster compensation payments and raising concerns over restrictions, livestock replacement, halloumi milk quotas and income losses.
121 farms affected by outbreak
Gregoriou said Cyprus is now more than four months after the first case of foot-and-mouth disease was recorded in the government-controlled areas on 20 February.
He said the outbreak affected not only livestock farmers but also the wider primary sector, the economy and parts of the supply chain.
The latest case was recorded on 10 June, bringing the number of infected farms to 121. Animals from 119 of those farms have been culled.
Two cases were excluded from culling, including one farm with 403 fattening sheep and another with 32 local red cattle.
Over 80,000 animals culled
According to the Agriculture Ministry, 52,632 sheep and goats were culled, representing 11.5% of the total registered population.
A further 3,018 cattle were culled, accounting for 3.5% of registered cattle, while 24,483 pigs were affected, representing 7.8% of the pig population in Cyprus.
Veterinary Services continue nationwide epidemiological investigations among cattle and sheep populations, both inside and outside affected areas.
Vaccination campaign continues
Gregoriou said vaccination efforts are ongoing, with completion rates reaching 87% for cattle, 67% for sheep and goats, and 41% for pigs for the first and second vaccination rounds.
He added that the government has provided financial support through three Cabinet decisions aimed at reducing the economic impact of the crisis.
Breakdown of compensation payments
The €12.7 million already paid includes:
- €429,480 in advance payments to 40 beneficiaries
- €594,969 for destroyed milk to 54 beneficiaries
- €882,415 for animal feed to 85 beneficiaries
- €10,848,755 for animal culls to 90 beneficiaries
The ministry said 17 additional cases remain under review by Veterinary Services following legal advice, with payments expected to be completed in the coming days.
Gregoriou said compensation values were determined through discussions with agricultural organisations and livestock groups to reflect market prices and ensure fair treatment.
Restrictions gradually eased
The Agriculture Ministry said improvements in the epidemiological situation allowed authorities to introduce targeted adjustments to restrictions through the fifth decree.
Gregoriou stressed that the measures do not represent a return to normality but a carefully controlled response based on current conditions.
Regarding halloumi production quotas, he said Cyprus remains in a transitional period until 2029, during which quotas can be adjusted depending on available milk quantities.
Farmers call for faster restart
Agricultural organisations told MPs that the biggest challenge ahead is the recovery of affected farms and the replacement of lost livestock.
Farmers also raised concerns over income compensation, grazing restrictions and the timeline for restarting production.
The government said a special committee chaired by Stavros Malas is examining options for restoring livestock numbers and is expected to present a study by the end of July.
The foot-and-mouth disease crisis remains under close monitoring, with authorities continuing measures aimed at protecting healthy livestock and preventing further outbreaks.
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