President Nikos Christodoulides says he will take the initiative to speak both publicly and directly with those affected by the foot‑and‑mouth outbreak, while rejecting claims of poor coordination between Veterinary Services and the Agriculture Ministry. He again urged cooperation, warning that “otherwise we will all lose.”
The president said the virus had previously been contained and later reappeared in Limassol. “Something happened for it to reach Pachna,” he said, adding that this indicates a lack of cooperation and that some people “did not follow what they were supposed to follow.”
Responding to complaints from farmers that they were not informed, Christodoulides said he requested specific information and that the issue was discussed at today’s Cabinet meeting, particularly regarding new sampling checks they are demanding — a matter he said he will personally handle.
Asked about accusations that Veterinary Services allowed the virus to spread due to poor biosecurity practices, he questioned how the services could be blamed when the virus moved from Larnaca to Pachna.
“If we do not all cooperate, this challenge will not be addressed and in the end we will all be losers,” he said.
Christodoulides added he is ready to meet “anyone who wishes to meet with me,” after receiving a letter from five agricultural organizations expressing deep concern about the outbreak and its impact on livestock farming.
Asked whether he would also meet the “Voice of Livestock Farmers” group, he repeated that he has no objection to meeting anyone as part of efforts to resolve the crisis.
The joint letter was signed by PEK, EKA, Panagrotikos, Nea Agrotiki Kinisi and Euroagrotikos. The groups say the disease continues to spread to more districts and that containment has not been achieved despite measures and repeated submissions. They argue the situation now requires political management and call on the president to immediately convene a meeting with all agricultural organizations and livestock sectors.