Philenews

Criticism Mounts Over Handling of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Crisis in Cyprus

Published March 12, 2026, 09:15
Criticism Mounts Over Handling of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Crisis in Cyprus

The President of the House of Representatives, Annita Demetriou, strongly criticized the handling of the foot-and-mouth disease crisis in Cyprus, describing it as “dramatic and out of control.” Her criticism came during a period of pre-election statements but highlighted the lack of preventative measures to prevent the spread of the virus from the occupied territories, as well as the absence of controls to ensure the proper management of vaccines provided by the European Union. Furthermore, she referred to shortcomings in the shelter creation policy since 1999, with many now being unsuitable or non-existent. Demetriou’s criticism highlights broader management problems and deficiencies in state functioning.