CLOSURE OF LIVESTOCK UNITS IN PERGAMON - BUFFER ZONE AND BRITISH BASES UNDER THE MICROSCOPE - Filenews 28/3 by Angelos Nikolau
The Veterinary Services decided to suspend the operation of 11 livestock units in the sensitive area of Pergamon, so that at the same time the trafficking of milk from another 13 units that are illegally active in the Dead Zone and British Bases, to cheese factories operating in the free areas is avoided.
The decision concerns premises that, although they have a Cypriot exploitation code, operate within the Dead Zone and the livestock area of the British Dhekelia Bases, in an environment characterized by an administrative labyrinth and increased risks.
The suspension directly affects eight cowsheds and three sheepfolds, which until recently delivered milk to three cheese factories in the free areas with two authorized carriers from December 15, 2025, with the notification of foot-and-mouth disease in the occupied territories. The milk route was carried out under strict surveillance with two tankers, however recent developments with foot-and-mouth disease now passing into the free areas from February 19, 2026 and the risk analysis carried out on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture forced their closure.
The area presents an extremely complex picture:
• Within the Dead Zone, there are six approved units (4 cows, 2 sheep and goats) and four illegal units (without a Republic code).
• Within the BB Livestock Area, there are five approved units and 5 without registration.
• Outside the Livestock Area BB, four additional unregistered sheepfolds were identified.
It is noted that, under the Protocol to the Agreement on the Withdrawal of the United Kingdom from the EU, the British Bases have delegated the responsibility for veterinary checks to the Veterinary Services of the Republic.
This decision was taken after a risk analysis by the competent authorities for the proximity of the area to the areas not controlled by the Republic. The special administrative regime, with the involvement of the Base Police, the United Nations, the Veterinary Services, but also the Pseudo-State Police, makes control extremely difficult.
The complaints of the Cyprus Cheesemakers Association for repeated violations and illegal trafficking of milk from uncontrolled points intensified the pressure. In fact, in a recent meeting (16/03/2026) at the offices of the British Bases of Dhekelia, the cheesemakers expressed their strong concern, even proposing the closure of passages through which it is suspected that illegal tankers are passing.
According to the cheesemakers, many unit owners in Pergamon live permanently in areas outside the control of the Republic, making their supervision extremely difficult.
The difficulty of policing the area was confirmed in the most dramatic way during a review by the authorities on March 14. While officials of the Veterinary Services and the Department of Agriculture were inspecting units in the Dead Zone, they were stopped by the "police" of the pseudo-state, as a result of which it was not possible to visit two of the six registered units.
On the contrary, in the units where the inspection was carried out, the livestock farmers (Turkish Cypriot residents of Pergamon) showed cooperation, presenting invoices for the purchase of feed from companies in the free areas.
The government, fearing the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, initially oriented itself towards the following measures:
Geolocation (GPS): Mandatory installation of devices on the tankers that collect milk from the area.
Registration of illegals: Cooperation with the Bases to identify the owners of a total of 13 unregistered units, so that they can be called upon to legalize or suspend their action.
Intensification of controls: Systematic inventory of animals and strict control of the origin of feed.
However, it was decided that for better management of the issue until the area is properly controlled, the operation of the units should be suspended so that there is no risk of milk produced by units not controlled by the Veterinary Services being channelled to cheese dairies operating in the free areas.
Over 30,000 animal killings - 5.7% of the total livestock population of sheep and goats 2.2% of the cow population was lost
The management of the foot-and-mouth crisis is at a critical juncture, with the Veterinary Services fighting against time to limit the spread of the virus.
The latest data reflect the magnitude of the disaster to limit the spread of the virus, with thousands of animals being slaughtered, while at the same time digital tools and reinforced staff are being mobilized to stop the disease.
Livestock farming is taking a strong hit, as the toll of animals killed to date is shocking. According to the latest update, 28.019 sheep and goats and 1.712 cattle have already been killed, while within the next few hours the killing of about 400 more animals (240 sheep, goats and 150 cattle) is expected, completing the cycle in the units that were found positive.
A total of 49 infected units have been recorded, with the vast majority located in the district of Larnaca (46 units) and the remaining three in the province of Nicosia. The authorities have managed to speed up the procedures, now achieving the killing of the animals within 48 hours of the detection of the case.
At the population level, the percentage of infected sheep and goat herds amounts to 1.79% (5.7% of the total animal population), while in cattle the percentage of infected herds is 1.87% (2.2% of the population). It is noted that out of the 2.288 sheep and goat units nationwide, 41 have been affected, while in cattle 7 out of 373 units have been infected. That statistic does not take into account the illegal bovine unit.
The hope for the containment of the virus rests on the extensive vaccination program:
Cattle: The first phase is almost completed (98%), with pending issues only in specific cases (red cows) due to difficulty approaching. The second dose has already been administered to 30% of the population.
Sheep and goats: The first phase is at 75% and is expected to be completed in March, while the second dose has advanced to 10%.
The epidemiological investigations are expected to be completed at the beginning of April, when the authorities are expected to have a complete and clear picture of the spread of the virus.
The government, adopting the management model of the coronavirus pandemic, is proceeding in collaboration with the "KIOS" Center of Excellence and the Cyprus Institute to create digital tools for monitoring the crisis. At the same time, a specialized website for foot-and-mouth disease (footandmouth.gov.cy) was launched yesterday.
In the field of controls, 93 control and disinfection points have been staffed in livestock zones throughout Cyprus (73 in general and 20 more in Larnaca). At the same time, the potential is being strengthened with six specialized scientists in the chemistry laboratory and 20 private veterinarians for sampling.
Payments to affected livestock farmers are already underway, while strict measures are being implemented in the infected zones.
It is recalled that the virus threatens a huge animal population in the free areas, consisting of 86,196 cattle, 458,352 sheep and goats and 303,000 pigs, making compliance with biosecurity measures imperative for the survival of the industry. Of course, these data are constantly adjusted with the births, deaths and slaughters of animals. It is noted that as far as sheep and goats are concerned, these numbers correspond to productive animals and do not include small ones.
