A five-day timeframe has reportedly been requested by President Nikos Christodoulides to examine the demands of the livestock association “Voice of Farmers”, amid ongoing concerns linked to the livestock crisis in Cyprus.
According to the association’s spokesperson Stella Petrou, the President’s intervention came shortly before a planned protest at the Rizoelia roundabout, leading to the suspension of mobilisation measures.
Protest at Rizoelia cancelled
The farmers had initially planned to block the Rizoelia junction but decided to suspend their action following the President’s request.
Petrou said members welcomed the development, describing it as a sign that their concerns are being taken seriously in the context of the livestock crisis in Cyprus.
She added that farmers are now awaiting an official government statement confirming a scheduled meeting in the coming days.
Government meetings expected
The association expects that upcoming discussions will include officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, as well as technical staff involved in managing the sector.
Farmers stressed that no further protest decisions will be taken until the meeting process is completed.
Calls for urgent compensation approval
Separately, agricultural organisations participating in the advisory committee on foot-and-mouth disease are calling for immediate approval of compensation payments proposed by the government.
Union of Cypriot Farmers (EKA) Secretary-General Panikos Hambas said swift Cabinet approval is essential so payments can begin without delay.
He also stressed the need to assign dedicated officers to each affected livestock farmer to ease administrative procedures.
Concerns over grazing and fire risk
Hambas also raised concerns over unmanaged vegetation due to restricted grazing, warning of increased wildfire risk as temperatures rise.
He suggested allowing grazing in non-infected areas, particularly near forest zones, to reduce fuel load.
Livestock recovery planning
The EKA representative also highlighted the need for early procurement of vaccines for livestock recovery, noting limited production capacity in Europe.
He proposed that new livestock stock should also be sourced from non-affected areas within Cyprus, prioritising dairy-producing breeds used for halloumi production.
Ongoing sector challenges
The livestock crisis in Cyprus continues to place pressure on both farmers and authorities, with issues ranging from compensation delays to biosecurity measures and long-term herd restoration planning.
Officials are expected to continue consultations with stakeholders in the coming days to address the sector’s immediate and structural challenges.
Source: CNA
Also read: President meets Erhürman this afternoon, no media present
For more videos and updates, check out our YouTube channel
