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Ministry of Agriculture Decree for Foot-and-Mouth Disease Control Measures - High Fine Imposed

Published March 5, 2026, 11:28
Ministry of Agriculture Decree for Foot-and-Mouth Disease Control Measures - High Fine Imposed

An administrative fine of up to €5,000 may be imposed in case of non-compliance with the control, prevention and restriction measures for the foot-and-mouth disease foreseen in a Decree published in the Official Gazette of the Republic on March 5, 2026, announced the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment. According to the announcement, the Decree was issued pursuant to article 7 of the Animal Health Laws of 2001 to 2023 and is entitled «The Animal Health (Control, Prevention and Restriction of Foot-and-Mouth Disease) Decree of 2026». The Ministry states that the Decree provides, among other things, restrictions on the movement of dichotic animals from and to farms, restrictions on the movement of feedstuffs and on the grazing of dichotic animals, as well as restrictions on the movement of persons and equipment from and to farms in the zones where the relevant measures apply. Specific exceptions are also foreseen, with the permission of the Competent Authority, for purposes relating to the operation of farms. It is noted that non-compliance constitutes an offence against the Animal Health Laws and, in accordance with Article 13B of the Animal Health Law of 2001 (109(I)/2001), as amended from time to time, an administrative fine of up to €5,000 may be imposed. Finally, the Ministry notes that the Decree is an evolution of the official notification of measures issued on February 26, 2026 and published in the Official Gazette of the Republic of Cyprus (No. 5999).