The reconstruction of Cypriot livestock farming after the foot-and-mouth disease crisis, on the basis of a twelve-year program, is provided for by the reports of the Special Scientific Committee under Stavros Malas, which have been in the hands of the President of the Republic since yesterday.
Essentially, the reports outline the total restoration and reconstruction of Cypriot livestock farming. This is a long-term and reform program with a total investment of €610.92 million with an implementation horizon of 2027–2038.
The foot-and-mouth crisis, which led to the killing of more than 84,000 animals and caused huge losses in milk production, highlighted decades of structural weaknesses. Weaknesses such as the anarchic and dense location of the units, the inadequate biosecurity, the absence of monitoring of the animal population and the uncontrolled movements of animals, for which the Scientific Committee tried to find solutions.
Essentially, it is a highly modernising, but at the same time complex undertaking, linking dairy production, meat production, genetic improvement, plant siting, biosecurity, welfare and environmental management.
Economic impact study requested
According to cross-checked information, during yesterday's meeting at the Presidential Palace, a proposal was put forward to Stavros Malas for the immediate conduct of an Economic Impact Study. This study was deemed absolutely necessary by the government, in order to accurately reflect the fiscal endurance of the state against the required annual expenditures.
At the same time, clear instructions were given to explore the possibilities of co-financing the program from EU funds. This need becomes imperative, as the proposed funding of €610 million. is 565% higher than the total public support given in the period 2014-2025 during which €91.5 million was provided.
The four pillars of the Action Plan
The proposed twelve-year program aimed not only at addressing the effects of foot-and-mouth disease, but also the wider challenges of livestock farming, is structured in four main actions:
Action 1: Reconstruction of sheep and goat farming (€372.2 million)
It includes the creation of new large farms or the acquisition of existing farms (€240 million), the upgrading of existing ones (€90 million), genetic improvement programs (€24.4 million), as well as a special program for the development of the local Machairas Goat breed (€8 million). For the replenishment of the livestock of sheep and goats that were slaughtered (€6 million) and for the productive replacement of sheep and goats (€3.8 million).
Action 2: Cattle restoration (€134 million)
Focus on the genetic improvement of all units (€30 million), the creation of 50 new synchronised units (€50 million), the upgrade or acquisition of existing ones (€50 million) and the maintenance of the local Cypriot cow breed (€2.5 million). For the replenishment of livestock of cows that were slaughtered (€1.5 million).
Action 3: Horizontal actions (€41 million)
Establishment of 10 organized calf fattening units (€10 million) and 10 lamb fattening units (€10 million) away from dairy zones, fencing and installation of electronic biosecurity systems (€4 million), as well as targeted decongestion of burdened areas (€10 million). For upgrading animal welfare and live monitoring (€7 million).
Action 4: Scientific support (€63.7 million)
Scientific support for genetic evaluation and improvement (€14.2 million), establishment of accredited research laboratories for milk (€9.6 million) and meat (€9.2 million), a semen/embryo bank (€5.35 million), smart livestock farming teams (cattle farming €5.65 million/ sheep and goat farming €5.65 million), as well as the establishment of a mandatory Electronic File for each unit (€4.4 million), a program for monitoring animal welfare indicators (€4.4 million).
Strategic objectives to support livestock farming
Doubling of sheep and goat milk: The aim is to double production to meet the needs of PDO halloumi, but not with a reckless increase in animals, but with an increase in productivity per animal by importing 10,000 high-yielding animals per year.
More efficient cow farming: The goal is to produce at least 10,000 liters of milk per cow per year, so that total production can be maintained at pre-crisis levels but with a smaller, more sustainable animal population.
New zoning rules: Further concentration of units in saturated areas is prohibited. New installations will be strictly allowed in designated Livestock Zones based on health and environmental criteria.
For the scientific supervision of the project, it is proposed to establish a permanent Scientific and Research Consortium (RI) with the Cyprus Institute, the Agricultural Research Institute, CUT, and the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine of the University of Nicosia as key partners.
Regulatory policy changes – The current framework and the causes of the collapse
The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease highlighted the structural problems and chronic weaknesses of the existing livestock development model in Cyprus. Livestock farming was developed in three categories of location:
>> There are 61 livestock areas, 41 on state land under the Department of Agriculture and 20 on Turkish Cypriot land under the Turkish Cypriot Property Management Agency, where only a building permit is required.
>> Livestock zones include private or state plots, on which the establishment of livestock units (except pig farms) is allowed, without a planning permit.
>> In agricultural areas, licensing is carried out on the basis of Development Plans, where the majority of units are concentrated.
As the Commission points out, the livestock area model was adopted under pressure from exceptional tourism and housing needs and not as part of a long-term plan. Treating the units as industrial zones rather than as "living biological systems" created an overconcentration of animals in confined spaces.
The outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease highlighted the weaknesses of the existing model:
>> 84% of the units affected by foot-and-mouth disease were located within organized livestock areas.
>> Cases were recorded in 7 areas, of which 5 were densely built livestock areas.
>> Common access, inadequate fencing and the absence of biosecurity have turned these areas into single high-risk epidemiological zones.
To avoid future health crises, the Commission is proposing a number of regulatory changes:
1. The operational and livestock management of all livestock areas is transferred exclusively to the Department of Agriculture.
2. a) In livestock zones, it is proposed to increase the coverage coefficient from 30% to 60% for private or state plots.
b) In agricultural zones, an increase in the building factor to 60% is proposed for upgraded units.
c) The existing disincentive of 100 productive sheep and goats per unit in agricultural zones is proposed to be increased to at least 500 animals. For units that are more than 1,000 meters from a residential or tourist zone, it is proposed that there should be no restriction on the number of farmed animals.
3. In the districts of Paphos and Limassol, where there is a serious shortage of available state land and livestock zones, the Committee recommends the targeted expropriation of private plots within zones for the purpose of leasing them for the creation of new large units.
4. a) A mandatory minimum distance of 300 meters between the borders of independent livestock units is established.
b) Clear division of the zones into milk production, meat production/fattening, breeding and quarantine.
c) Plots that are vacated will not be re-granted for animal housing if they are less than 200 meters away from active units.
5. A mandatory single electronic monitoring system (GPS/Tracker) is established for all tankers and vehicles transporting feed, milk, animals or waste, in order to control the spread of diseases.
For the implementation of the new design: a) 130 potential locations for large units in existing livestock zones have already been identified. b) 360 potential sites on state land within agricultural areas have been identified.
