Livestock compensation measures have been agreed and will be submitted to the Cabinet at its next session, according to Panagrotikos Association President Kyriakos Kailas.
Speaking to CNA, Kailas expressed satisfaction with the decisions, noting that both compensation rates for culled animals and reactivation support for farmers have now been finalised.
Payments and reactivation process
Under the compensation framework, affected farmers will receive agreed payments and will then be able to declare reactivation of their units.
Lost income will be covered for 12 months, with the possibility of extension if necessary.
Kailas explained that once approval is granted, farmers will initially introduce a small number of animals on a pilot basis. If no infection is detected, they will then be allowed to fully restock their units.
Vaccination remains key measure
Vaccination efforts will continue as part of the response to foot-and-mouth disease, with authorities stressing its importance in reducing viral load and limiting transmission between animals.
“All these steps are in the right direction,” Kailas said.
Advisory committee and revised amounts
The compensation framework was shaped by an advisory committee including livestock farmers, cattle breeders, sheep and goat farmers, and agricultural organisations.
The Agricultural Research Institute also contributed to revising initial compensation amounts, which were considered unfair.
Further discussions on pigs and grain
Kailas said discussions next week will focus on pigs and grain within the three-kilometre zones affected by restrictions.
He raised concerns about unused crops in these areas, as many farms no longer have livestock to utilise them, calling for additional arrangements.
Support for compensation decisions
Meanwhile, the farmers’ organisation “Euroagrotikos” expressed support for the agreed compensation amounts in a letter to Nikos Christodoulides.
The group described further actions as unnecessary and urged stakeholders to focus on preventing the spread of the disease.
Call for responsibility and stricter enforcement
“Euroagrotikos” also called on farmers to avoid disruptive protests, warning that road closures would create tension without delivering results.
The organisation urged the government to tighten penalties for illegal trade with the occupied areas and to strengthen monitoring along the ceasefire line.
It stressed that, as an EU member state, Cyprus must follow established protocols for managing foot-and-mouth disease.
Source: CNA
Also read: Farmers protest on Friday – Mobilisations to last three days
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