Halloumi PDO is at serious risk if Cyprus deviates from European directives. The Minister of Agriculture, Maria Panayiotou, warns of exclusion from the Single Market if Cyprus unilaterally ends the killing of animals with foot-and-mouth disease. Speaking to the parliamentary committee on agriculture, it was clear that any move without the consent of the European Commission would amount to economic suicide.
"A unilateral decision will result in the exclusion of Cyprus from the Single Market," the Minister warned. The effects will not be limited to dairy products, but will extend to the movement of people, passengers and even tourism, reminiscent of the dark days of universal lockdowns.
The rapid spread of foot-and-mouth disease to 38 units in the province of Larnaca has brought the government before a relentless dilemma: Continue the painful mass killings of animals or unilaterally end them, which, however, would mean the immediate exit of Cyprus from the EU Single Market.
From the contacts that the Minister of Agriculture had with the competent European Commissioner, it appears that in such an eventuality, restrictions could be imposed not only on trade but also on other sectors. Restrictions will be imposed on the movement of products, people, passengers and tourism," he said, adding that there was no reference to specific categories of products such as livestock but to trade in general.
Ms. Panagiotou reiterated that the government continues efforts at the political and technocratic level to secure flexibility from Brussels, with the aim of ending the mass killing of animals without clinical symptoms.
It is noted that Cyprus is waiting with bated breath for the Commission's response, following a request that Nikos Christodoulides will submit to Ursula von der Leyen to grant a derogation to our country.
Therefore, the stakes for halloumi are huge. In the 10-kilometer zone, 35% of the cow population is already located.
Agricultural organizations and MPs are pushing for the use of the PDO status as an argument of force majeure. The general secretary of EKA, Panikos Hambas, stressed that "the animals that produce halloumi are special", calling for the suspension of killings and the complete shift to vaccination. However, Regulation 2020/687 provides that vaccination without killing requires a special derogation, otherwise the country's products are considered contaminated for the international market.
The big bet that all stakeholders are called upon to win is to keep the foot-and-mouth disease virus within the limits of 10 kilometers from Oroklini, Livadia, Aradippou, Troulloi and Dromolaxia. For this purpose, 99 wheelies and 27 automated disinfection systems have been set up in the above livestock areas. In addition, 500 officers from 16 different Services are on their feet on a 24-hour basis. Already, 238,000 doses of vaccines have been administered, with priority given to high-risk zones.
Behind the numbers, human tragedies are hidden. Livestock farmers who saw 2,000 of their animals led to slaughter in one day, speak of a complete economic disaster. "I had an income of €100,000 a month and now I'm at zero," a devastated producer told Parliament.
The government promises individualized compensation and a plan to rebuild livestock from disease-free countries, but for livestock farmers the clock is ticking.
The opposition speaks of unacceptable management and delay in taking measures after the first cases were detected in the occupied territories last December. MPs of all parties are calling for an immediate end to the killings in vaccinated units, arguing that European legislation allows alternatives after a proper risk assessment.
The containment plan
After the detection of cases, initially in the occupied areas and then in units of the free areas, the Veterinary Services have engaged in a race to save the livestock. As soon as the information about cases in occupied Lapathos was announced, the Veterinary Services called the EU Expert Team (EUVET Team), which carried out autopsies.
Furthermore, the Customs, the Police and the British bases were mobilized for thorough checks at the crossing points, while special large-scale disinfectant mats were installed.
It is noted that in January 2026, after 130 negative tests within a radius of 3km. From the Green Line, the measures at the barricades had been temporarily lifted, following a scientific risk assessment.
After February 20, the province of Larnaca is at the center of the restrictions. Round-the-clock control and disinfection points have been installed in the protection and surveillance zones, specifically in the livestock units of the area of Aradippou, Livadia, Kellia, Troulloi, Oroklini. In addition, control and disinfection points have been installed in the areas of Alethriko, Klavdia, Anglisides, Kofinou, Kalo Chorio, Larnaca, Athienou, Avdellero, Tersefanou and Dromolaxia. In these areas, entry is allowed only with a special permit, while the movement of animals and feed has been prohibited throughout Cyprus, unless there is approval for transport to slaughterhouses under strict protocols.
