Foot-and-mouth disease was discussed on Tuesday at the Bicommunal Technical Committee on Health, with the Greek Cypriot side calling on Turkish Cypriots to align with European Union legislation and proposing the creation of a joint committee for coordinated management.
The issue was also examined for a second time before the House Agriculture Committee, where Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou and the Veterinary Services of Cyprus responded to MPs’ questions on the handling of the outbreak, its spread to Nicosia, the situation in the north, potential risks to halloumi exports and compensation for affected farmers.
Concerns over coordination with the north
Responding to concerns that differing policies between the two sides could undermine containment efforts, Veterinary Services director Christodoulos Pippis said authorities lack control in the north. He noted that the European Commissioner had indicated efforts to persuade Turkish Cypriots to comply with EU law through funding mechanisms, including vaccine provision in December. Pippis confirmed that a meeting had taken place earlier on Tuesday within the bicommunal health committee’s veterinary subcommittee.
“We asked that operations be based on the EU acquis for a unified policy. We requested control of grazing along the Green Line. Through the Greek Cypriot negotiator, the goal is to establish a joint committee for a uniform response based on EU law,” he said.
He added that, unlike the Republic, authorities in the north proceeded directly with protective vaccination rather than culling.
Vaccination progress and targets
Nationwide, 82% of cattle units and 45.7% of sheep and goat units have been vaccinated. Authorities aim to complete the first-dose vaccination campaign across Cyprus by the end of March, with the second-dose rollout beginning on Wednesday.
Parliamentary scrutiny
MPs raised a range of concerns, including compensation mechanisms, potential export restrictions on halloumi and the broader economic impact. Agriculture Minister Panayiotou said a government advisory committee on compensation had already begun meeting following a cabinet decision on March 5.
She confirmed that affected farmers are expected to receive initial payments within the coming week, with a first support package of up to €50,000 per unit depending on herd size. A broader support framework, approved by the cabinet on March 5 and March 16, amounts to €28 million.
Panayiotou also stated that halloumi exports are not currently affected due to the high-temperature production process, and that no country has imposed restrictions so far.
Supply chains and imports
Veterinary Services director Pippis said Cyprus’ main export markets, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Sweden and the United States, have reassured authorities that halloumi exports are not at risk. He noted, however, that third countries may adopt their own positions.
Cyprus is also set to receive 500,000 vaccine doses for pigs from Germany, following direct contact with his German counterpart, while further arrangements are being made with a German manufacturer to secure future supply for both pigs and ruminants.
In parallel, proposals are expected by the end of the week from the Agricultural Research Institute and Veterinary Services regarding livestock imports from France and Spain. Authorities have also called for increased surveillance along the Green Line as part of containment efforts.