Filenews 8 January 2026 - by Angelos Nikolaou
Preventive controls in the free areas are in full swing, with the aim of shielding the livestock of the Republic, after the detection of cases of foot-and-mouth disease in the occupied territories. According to information, sampling continues intensively with the aim of covering the entire area of the ceasefire line, while the critical results of laboratory tests are expected by Friday.
Following reports of a case of foot-and-mouth disease in a cattle unit in occupied Lapathos in the province of Famagusta, the Veterinary Services of the Republic have been put on high alert. The concern is intensified by the confirmation of the British report that the SAT1 serotype, a type of virus that appears for the first time in Cyprus, has been detected in the area.
Already, samples have been taken from livestock farms in high-risk areas, such as Athienou, Lympia, Potamia and Xylotymbou. The results so far are negative, however, surveillance remains thorough and active within a radius of 3 kilometers along the Green Line. Samples will be taken until the end of the month to check the situation.
To prevent the spread of the virus in free areas, strict measures have been put in place. The first is the disinfection of vehicles. According to the Veterinary Services, new, enlarged disinfectant mats were installed at all crossing points, including the British Bases (Pergamon, Strovilia). The relevant deposition of disinfectant material is carried out on the carpets. The Veterinary Services are studying the conduct of a tender for the supply of portable, automatic equipment for the disinfection of wheeled vehicles with the possibility of automatic operation, which will be able to be placed on a case-by-case basis at the points of passage and entry from the occupied areas to the free areas. Furthermore, a special protocol is applied for the transport of milk from the Pergamon area, with the tankers being accompanied by officers of the Veterinary Services until delivery to two specific cheese factories.
Exports and movements of the Veterinary Services
The appearance of the virus in the occupied territories caused immediate reactions from third countries. Australia and Canada have temporarily removed Cyprus from the list of countries free of foot-and-mouth disease, based on press reports. The Australian authorities have been found to wish to receive a letter from the European Commission's Directorate-General for Health and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) that they consider Cyprus free of foot-and-mouth disease, to reconsider their decision.
The Veterinary Services contacted the Saudi authorities, after rumors that this country will also impose restrictions on trade and after an investigation it was found that no restriction on halloumi imports has been imposed so far.
Furthermore, the Veterinary Services sent a letter to the Canadian authorities, following a publication on their website that they proceeded to remove Cyprus from the list of EU member states that they consider free of foot-and-mouth disease. It is pointed out that the restrictions imposed by Canada concern products that are not exported from Cyprus to Canada, as they do not apply to products that have been heat treated for 30 minutes at a minimum temperature of 70°C, which applies to halloumi.
The Veterinary Services, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, have already made representations. Among other things, the intervention of the European Commission and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) was requested to send official letters confirming that free areas remain free of the disease. It was clarified that halloumi, due to the heat treatment it undergoes (over 70°C), is not subject to restrictions, as the virus is destroyed.
Great Britain has already made it clear that it does not intend to impose restrictions, clearly separating the areas controlled by the Republic from the occupied territories. Specifically, on December 23, the authorities of Great Britain published an emergency risk assessment after the confirmation of cases of foot-and-mouth disease in the occupied areas and report that for the first time, the SAT1 serotype was detected in Cyprus. Also, the report notes that Lebanon is facing cases of foot-and-mouth disease for the first time since 2009, although the serotype is unknown at this time. Nevertheless, the report concludes that the risk of importation of foot-and-mouth disease into Great Britain remains low and therefore the British authorities, at this stage, do not intend to impose any restrictions on trade in products of animal origin originating from the Republic, as they state that there is no trade in live animals or animal products to Great Britain from countries in the region, obviously meaning the area where cases are detected, a word that separates the occupied areas from the areas controlled by the Republic.
Turkish Cypriot veterinarians asked for help from their private colleagues in the free areas
The Cypriot authorities are reassuring to the public, underlining that foot-and-mouth disease is not transmitted to humans. The virus exclusively affects breeding animals (cows, sheep, pigs) and the consumption of animal products is completely safe.
According to information from "F", Turkish Cypriot veterinarians approached their private colleagues in the free areas, asking for guidance on EU legislation on crisis management.
It is noted that the Veterinary Services requested from the EU Directorate General for Health the expedited dispatch of the EUVET Team, in order to go to the occupied territories for an on-site inspection, recording the current situation and the status of the occupied territories, how to manage the situation and submitting any suggestions on how to manage the situation.
Upon arrival in Cyprus, the team of experts went to the occupied territories where they carried out an autopsy and recorded the emergency management measures.
This was followed by a review of the findings with the Veterinary Services, at which point the most ideal way of managing the whole situation by the Authorities of the Republic was judged, namely the faithful implementation of the strictest biosecurity measures in farming and the movement of animals, feed and animal products, intensification of surveillance of the health situation with active and thorough surveillance of the health status of the sensitive animal population of farms.
