Dialogos

Over 550,000 Animals to be Vaccinated Across Cyprus Against Foot-and-Mouth Disease

Published March 7, 2026, 14:02
Over 550,000 Animals to be Vaccinated Across Cyprus Against Foot-and-Mouth Disease

A nationwide vaccination campaign against foot-and-mouth disease is underway in Cyprus, aiming to protect the animal population. Vaccinations are being carried out simultaneously in all provinces, with priority given to cattle and sheep/goat herds near pig farms. A total of approximately 85,000 cattle and 470,000 sheep/goats are expected to be vaccinated. Vaccines for pigs are also expected to arrive from Germany. So far, no new cases have been detected, but vigilance remains high in the Larnaca region where cases have already been recorded. Meanwhile, agricultural organizations will meet with the President of the Republic on Sunday to discuss the need for strengthened controls in the occupied territories regarding the management of funds allocated by the European Union to combat zoonotic diseases. Farmers are calling for the creation of a coordination mechanism involving the Veterinary Services of the Republic of Cyprus and the relevant services in the occupied territories, to ensure the effective use of funds and monitoring of measures taken. Agricultural organizations express concerns about the transparency in the use of European funds and the need for oversight of the measures taken in the occupied territories to eradicate the disease. They believe that the EU should know how the money it provides for tackling zoonotic diseases is being used. The government has pledged to continue efforts to limit the spread of foot-and-mouth disease and to cooperate with all stakeholders to protect livestock farming in Cyprus.