Philenews

Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Farmers Demand End to Animal Culling – “Appeal to President to Act Patriotically” – “Reports of Killings with Knives”

Published March 7, 2026, 17:09
Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Farmers Demand End to Animal Culling – “Appeal to President to Act Patriotically” – “Reports of Killings with Knives”

Agricultural organizations are demanding an end to the culling of healthy animals not affected by foot-and-mouth disease and the universal vaccination of all animals. They will request this tomorrow from the President of the Republic, Nikos Christodoulides, following a meeting with livestock farmers. The livestock farmers are warning of mobilizations if their demands are not met. The Agricultural Organizations report that “killings with knives” are taking place on animals that have not been infected with the virus, which they consider unacceptable. They are calling for an end to the policy of total culling and its replacement with universal vaccination. They point out that Turkey, from where the virus was brought to the occupied territories, implements a vaccination policy to combat foot-and-mouth disease. They believe that Cyprus, due to its semi-occupied status, should seek an exemption from European regulations and adopt a vaccination policy. They express hope that the meeting with the President will lead to positive results, but warn that if their demands are not met, they will proceed with protests and mobilizations on the streets.