Cyprus’ Veterinary Services said Tuesday that all animals in farms where foot‑and‑mouth disease has been detected must be culled, stressing that no exceptions are allowed under European Union law.
The agency said the country activated its emergency response plan for category A animal diseases as soon as the first cases were confirmed, in line with EU Regulation 2020/687. The regulation requires the immediate culling of all susceptible animals in an affected unit to prevent the spread of the virus.
Officials acknowledged the distress the measure causes livestock farmers, noting the financial and emotional burden. They said authorities have been in continuous contact with farming organizations since December, providing guidance, biosecurity instructions and updates from EU veterinary experts.
A series of meetings with farmers, veterinarians and agricultural groups has taken place in recent weeks, including consultations with European Commission specialists and targeted inspections near the buffer zone.
The Veterinary Services stressed that foot‑and‑mouth disease poses no risk to humans and is managed through strict, predefined protocols. They said the situation is being monitored closely and urged farmers to adhere fully to all control measures, calling compliance “a decisive factor” in containing the outbreak.