EU rules fuel Cyprus culling clash as farmers threaten protests

Published on 05/05/2026 - 12:14 GMT+2

The recently formed Cyprus Livestock Association, representing astir 200 members, said it is acceptable to instrumentality “strong action” adjacent if fiscal assistance is approved, unless authorities reconsider their strategy.

Speaking to authorities broadcaster RIK, spokesperson Stella Petrou argued that European rules let for alternate approaches to managing the crisis. She said farmers person yet to person wide details connected compensation, including sum for accumulation costs, feed, and mislaid income.

While ruling retired airdrome blockades, she said demonstrations would people the Presidential Palace and large municipality roads.

The outbreak has truthful acold led to the culling of astir 38,900 sheep and goats, 2,247 cattle and 21,500 pigs. Data from 110 affected farms bespeak losses equivalent to 9.5% of big sheep and goats, 2.8% of cattle and astir 7.9% of pigs.

Government insists connected EU rules

Government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the effect indispensable strictly travel EU veterinary protocols and cannot beryllium taxable to governmental pressure.

He said the president is intimately monitoring developments and supporting applicable services, but confirmed determination are nary plans for a caller gathering with farmers astatine this stage.

On compensation, Letymbiotis said discussions are advancing, with announcements expected erstwhile procedures are finalised.

He acknowledged farmers’ vexation but stressed that protecting nationalist wellness remains the priority. He added that authorities person already held extended meetings with stakeholders and EU officials, making wide that determination is nary country to deviate from European regulations.

Experts cull alternate approach

Dimitris Epaminondas, caput of the Pancyprian Veterinary Association, rejected claims that alternate EU protocols exist.

He said the bloc applies a unified eradication strategy to forestall the dispersed of the illness done trade, leaving nary flexibility for idiosyncratic subordinate states.

Epaminondas besides warned that nonaccomplishment to comply could pb to a commercialized embargo, perchance affecting exports of halloumi, a cardinal merchandise for the Cypriot economy.

Additional sources • sigmalive.com, riknews, politis