FIGHT TO SAVE THE ANIMALS - THE COMMISSIONER IS COMING, THE KILLINGS REMAIN. HOPES FOR A DEROGATION FROM THE REGULATION ON FOOT AND MOUTH ARE SLIM - Filenews 13/3 by Angelos Nikolaou
With Cyprus having already lost its status as a country that has been "free of foot-and-mouth disease" since February 19, 2026, the authorities are engaged in a race to save the livestock, while the European framework remains rigid regarding mandatory animal slaughter.
Despite intense pressure and Nicosia's requests for an exemption from the measure of killing animals in infected units, the information arriving from Brussels is discouraging. According to sources, it is considered very difficult or impossible to grant any derogation, as this has never happened before for similar cases within the EU.
The European Commission, after examining the specific data of Cyprus (geographical isolation, small production size), seems to insist on the strict application of Regulation 2020/687. As reported, even the intervention of the President of the Republic to Ursula von der Leyen does not seem capable of changing the data, with all eyes now turning to today's visit of the European Commissioner.
The European Commissioner for Animal Health and Welfare, Oliver Várhelli, is making a series of contacts today. Early in the morning, he will visit the "ZENON" Center in Larnaca, where he will have a meeting with the Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panagiotou, and affected livestock farmers. This will be followed by an extended meeting with agricultural organizations and stakeholders, including agricultural organizations, producers and officials of competent state services.
The Commissioner will then meet with representatives of political parties and then at noon he will have a meeting with the President of the Republic at the Presidential Palace.
In a previous statement, Mr. Várhely had praised the management of the crisis by Cyprus, assuring that the EU will financially support livestock farmers and that the marketing of halloumi is not affected. It is noted that this afternoon the President will also meet with the representatives of producers and agricultural organizations, following the meeting that preceded last Friday.
In an effort to stop the virus, Cyprus is running the vaccination program nationwide. The data so far show 73% vaccination coverage in cattle units and 32% in sheep and goat units. The vaccine for pigs is pending.
The representative of the Veterinary Services, Sotiria Georgiadou, explained that European legislation allows vaccinations only after a confirmed case. He noted that the first case in Cyprus was detected on February 19, 2026 and was reported to the World Organization for Animal Health.
As he mentioned, if a country starts preventive vaccination without having a confirmed case, it automatically loses the status of a country free of the disease and export possibilities.
As far as the spread of the virus is concerned, the number of infected units remains at 38, 33 units of sheep, goats and five cows. Two of the sheep and goat units belong to animal traders. Of these, the killings have progressed to 14 units and the rest are pending.
At the same time, the Veterinary Services clarify that the killing of all animals in positive units (Article 12 of the Regulation) is the only way to reduce the viral load. As emphasized in yesterday's scientific briefing, even asymptomatic animals transmit the virus, while their stay would lead to a reduction in productivity of up to 50% and permanent exclusion from international markets.
According to experts, the measure of killing animals, although particularly painful for both breeders and veterinarians who apply it, is provided for by the European regulatory framework and is considered epidemiologically necessary to reduce the viral load and quickly stop the epidemic.
The management of the crisis includes strict protocols implemented by the competent authorities, such as the landfill of dead animals in collaboration with the Geological Survey and Environment Departments, and technical conditions are applied for the protection of groundwater. Furthermore, a ban on the movement of strawed animals and feed without permission applies from 20/2/2026.
In addition, checks are carried out and sampling is carried out from other farms that are epidemiologically linked to the infected farms as well as random sampling on a nationwide basis.
It is noted that during last year there were cases of foot-and-mouth disease in three other members of the European Union, Hungary, Slovakia and Germany. No other state has vaccinated animals.
