Foot-and-mouth disease managed to penetrate the strict protection measures and affect units that are home to rare native breeds.
Despite efforts to shield the country's genetic wealth, the virus was detected in two units in Larnaca, one cattle farm (red cows) and one sheep (Cypriot Chios).
This development is of great concern, as the usual practice in such cases requires the immediate killing of all the animals of the affected unit. However, the Veterinary Services, recognizing the criticality of the situation for biodiversity conservation, are seriously considering the use of Delegated Regulation (EU) 2020/687.
Under the regulation, it is possible to derogate from the killing requirement for animals belonging to officially registered rare breeds or having high genetic and cultural value.
The decision will be taken after strict documentation of the purebred of the animals in collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, while the epidemiological risk against the benefit of their conservation will be taken into account.
The data on the local Cypriot sheep are alarming, as its population constitutes only 0.44% of the total sheep population on the island.
Specifically, based on the sheep and goat breeding survey carried out by the Department of Agriculture, today the breed consists of 1,185 animals in 19 units nationwide. In the province of Paphos there are 736 animals, in Limassol 272 animals, in Nicosia 74 animals, in Larnaca 56 animals, in Pitsilia 38 animals and in Famagusta 9 animals.
Regarding red cows (Bos indicus), the situation is considered equally serious. According to the 2025 census, the population shows a decrease of 4.68% compared to the previous year, numbering a total of 1,243 animals, of which 671 cows, to 65 units nationwide.
It should be noted that only 56 farms are considered purely local breed cattle breeding units. In Nicosia there are 34 cows out of a total of 70 animals, in Limassol 262 cows, out of a total of 455, in Famagusta 7 cows, out of a total of 13, in Paphos 245 cows, out of a total of 473 and in Larnaca 123 cows, out of a total of 232.
In addition to any decisions on the infected units, universal vaccination of all cattle in Cyprus and not just of this breed is proceeding, in order to stop the spread of the virus.
The local cow is distinguished by the characteristic hump and the black tuft on the tail. The types of the lowland areas (Mesaoria) stand out for their blond-red coloration, while the mountain types (Paphos) are small with darker shades.
The fate of animals in Larnaca hangs by a thread. If the risk assessment shows that their conservation does not threaten public health or the whole of livestock farming, then Cyprus will make use of European legislation to save a living part of its natural heritage. Otherwise, the blow to the local tribes will be incalculable.
It is also noted that livestock farmers, utilizing European programs, are provided with special financial support for the maintenance of local fat sheep and local cattle in danger of extinction.
So far, 104 units have been found infected, 13 cattle units (9 in Larnaca and 4 in Nicosia), 88 sheep and goat units (63 in Larnaca and 25 in Nicosia) and 3 pig farms in western Nicosia.
The numbers of infected and killed or to be killed animals account for 8.1% of the total number of adult sheep and goats, 2.8% of the total number of cattle and about 7% of the total number of pigs.
Sampling continues in all units within the infected areas. In the area of Geri and Dali the sampling has been completed, in the area of West Nicosia and Larnaca they will be completed by the end of April.
