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EU Commissioner Reaffirms Strict Application of FMD Regulations in Cyprus

Published March 13, 2026, 12:18
EU Commissioner Reaffirms Strict Application of FMD Regulations in Cyprus

European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare, Oliver Várhelyi, informed agricultural organizations and livestock farmers in Cyprus that the EU regulation on foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) will be applied 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 and the Minister of Agriculture. Mr. Lytras stated that the meeting did not bring anything new compared to previous updates, simply confirming the application of the regulation and the offer of assistance from the European Union. The meeting took place at the 'Zenon' Coordination Center in Larnaca, with the participation of representatives of state services and affected livestock farmers. This stance is causing dissatisfaction among livestock farmers, who had protested against the mass culling of animals. The application of the regulation provides for the culling of all animals on infected farms, a practice that is being challenged by the livestock farmers.