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Foot-and-Mouth Disease: "EU will implement the regulation without relaxation"

Published March 13, 2026, 09:10
Foot-and-Mouth Disease: "EU will implement the regulation without relaxation"

European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety, Oliver Varhelyi, assured that the European Union's regulation on foot-and-mouth disease will be implemented strictly, without any relaxation. This was stated by Michalis Lytras, Honorary President of the Panagrotic Association of Cyprus (PEK), after a meeting with the Commissioner, the Minister of Agriculture and representatives of agricultural organizations. Mr. Lytras stated that the meeting did not bring anything new compared to previous updates, confirming that the EU will implement the regulation as foreseen and will provide assistance where possible. The meeting took place at the 'Zenon' Coordination Center in Larnaca, with the participation of representatives from the Department of Agriculture, Veterinary Services and livestock farmers affected by foot-and-mouth disease. The discussion focused on the implementation of the regulation and its potential impact on livestock farming in Cyprus. The Minister of Agriculture and the Commissioner initially met privately, followed by a broader meeting with all stakeholders. The meeting marked the confirmation of the EU's strict stance on tackling foot-and-mouth disease and the need for full compliance with the regulations.