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Legal Expert Criticizes Government's Justification for Lack of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccination

Published February 27, 2026, 12:09
Legal Expert Criticizes Government's Justification for Lack of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Vaccination

Legal expert Simos Angelidis strongly criticized the Ministry of Agriculture's explanations regarding the lack of proactive vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease. He argued that the Ministry's statement, implying the disease was absent from Cyprus until outbreaks occurred, suggests that the occupied territories are not considered part of the Republic of Cyprus, which is legally and politically incorrect. This position contradicts International Law and the Treaty of Accession to the EU. Furthermore, Mr. Angelidis highlighted the lack of control in the buffer zone and smuggling between the two areas, arguing that the health management of the crisis was inadequate. The journalist also pointed out recurring deficiencies in crisis management in Cyprus, with significant financial costs for taxpayers.