GYROS AND COLD CUTS AVAILABLE TO TOURISM -6,500 CARACSSES ON THE MARKET TO SUPPORT PIG FARMING - Filenews 27/3 by Angelos Nikolaou
In a move that relieves the pig sector and at the same time promises sufficiency of quality meat for the Cypriot consumer, the Ministry of Agriculture proceeded.
Against the backdrop of the restrictions imposed by the European Commission due to foot-and-mouth disease, the Council of Ministers yesterday approved a targeted support plan, which will be fully implemented from next Monday.
The aim is to immediately decongest the pig farms by slaughtering 6,500 animals, which, although originally intended for the Greek market, will now be available exclusively for domestic consumption.
This decision follows the Commission's executive decision to extend the restriction zones throughout Cyprus, until May 1, 2026. The restrictions mainly concern products of animal origin that have not undergone heat treatment, such as fresh meat. The pig sector is also adversely affected by the measures.
The plan provides financial support of €54 per fattening pig, with the total cost reaching €340,000, within the wider package of €2 million recently approved. At the same time, a letter has already been sent to the European Commission on the private storage regime, while all the necessary arrangements have been made for the accommodation of meat in cold rooms, ensuring that no quantity will be wasted.
The pig farmers, through their organized groups, have already drawn up the disposal plan. Fresh Cypriot meat will be channelled to the hotel industry, strengthening the tourist product with domestic raw materials, to the sausage industry for the production of traditional products and to heat treatment units for the preparation of gyros, covering the high demand in catering.
Despite the positive climate for the survival of the sector, there is a significant distortion in the market. While the price of live pig has plummeted to €1.30 per kilogram from €2 last year, which translates to around €94 cheaper pig for traders, consumers have yet to see the benefit in their pockets.
The price on the shelf remains stuck at close to €6 per kilogram, i.e. at the same levels as last year. In fact, the price of pork tenderloin steak has increased by 40 cents per kilo and is available at €6.40. Pork with bone is sold at the same price, while a reduction of 20 cents is observed in the price of minced pork available at €5.30 per kilo
The maintenance of prices at high levels by supermarkets and butchers is attributed, according to market players, to the inaction of the Ministry of Commerce to integrate fresh meats into the e-Kalathi application. The absence allows retail prices to remain unlinked to the actual cost of production, which has been significantly reduced.
Eligible pig farmers are invited from Monday to submit their applications to the District Agricultural Offices. Upon completion of the massacres and the presentation of the documents, the aid will be paid immediately, offering the necessary liquidity to the units affected by the restrictive measures.
The aim of the plan is to support the pig sector in order to address the deterioration of the situation and liquidity of pig farmers. Therefore, pig farmers who choose to send fattening pigs for slaughter will limit the financial losses resulting from fattening costs.
At the beginning of the iceberg, Cyprus with foot-and-mouth disease
Race for market adequacy ahead of Easter
The senior officer of the Veterinary Services, Sotiria Georgiadou, used the harsh phrase "we are at the beginning of the iceberg", setting the magnitude of the challenge faced by the livestock sector from foot-and-mouth disease.
Until yesterday, the total number of infected units has risen to 49, with the vast majority located in the province of Larnaca, 8 cow and 41 sheep and goat units. Of these, 46 cases are in Larnaca and 3 in Nicosia.
Yesterday they were located within the infected zone of Dromolaxia - Meneou and concern two sheep units (240 animals) and one cattle unit (118 animals).
So far, about 26,800 sheep, goats and 1,742 cattle have been killed. With the current procedures in Nicosia and Larnaca, which have recently been made difficult due to mud rains, the number is expected to soon exceed the 30,000 animal barrier.
At the same time, the vaccination campaign is running at a high pace: Cattle: 98% coverage (30% have received the 2nd dose). Sheep and goats: 72% coverage (9% have received the 2nd dose).
With the Easter season just around the corner, concern about market adequacy and the price of meat is peaking. The demand is estimated at 30,000 lambs. "Efforts are being made to channel animals from clean units to slaughterhouses in a safe way," Ms. Georgiadou stressed, clarifying that specific slaughter days have been set for the infected areas, so that they do not coincide with the planned slaughters.
Within the day the platform for foot-and-mouth disease
At a critical juncture for the protection of the primary sector, the Ministry of Agriculture is expected to launch today the specialized website for https://www.gov.cy/footandmouth/ foot-and-mouth disease. This move is the central weapon of information in the effort to contain the disease and the valid guidance of livestock breeders and citizens.
The Ministry's goal is to effectively deal with the disease, to support the affected livestock farmers and the gradual, safe reconstitution of the livestock.
"The treatment of foot-and-mouth disease is a collective effort and responsibility. Compliance with the measures is the key to eradicating the disease", emphasize circles of the Ministry.
The website is designed to provide immediate access to critical data, divided into sections that concern both professionals and the general public.
For livestock farmers: Detailed instructions on symptoms in animals, ways of survival and transmission of the virus in the environment, as well as the framework for protection and surveillance zones.
For citizens: Clear answers on public health and food safety issues to avoid panic and misinformation.
Legal framework: Posting all current legislations and relevant decrees.
Next day: Information on support programs and steps for the sustainable reactivation of the units.
The government sends the message that with the right information and the faithful implementation of the protocols, the primary sector can be shielded. The operation of the footandmouth.gov.cy is expected to provide answers to practical everyday issues faced by livestock farmers in high-risk zones, ensuring that the return to normality will take place in absolute safety.
