The plan to reorganize the scientific committee on foot-and-mouth disease is set to bring about a complete “overhaul” of the Cypriot livestock sector. The committee’s chairman, Stavros Malas, presented the committee’s findings and plans for the future this morning at the Presidential Palace before all relevant stakeholders.
A major obstacle to the rapid spread of the virus is the dense concentration of livestock farms.
ΣΧΕΤΙΚΑ ΑΡΘΡΑ
“We have organized livestock farming in such a way—with such overcrowding—that we have essentially created a major vulnerability to infectious diseases. And even if the occupied territories didn’t exist, the problem would still be there.” Stavros Malas, Chair of the Scientific Committee
According to the committee’s findings, the virus arrived from Turkey and entered the free areas across the ceasefire line due to commercial traffic with the occupied territories.
New Plan
The new 12-year plan places particular emphasis, among other things, on:
increasing animal productivity, improving meat production, biosecurity, and the creation of an electronic record for each unit.
- Increasing animal productivity
- Improving meat production
- Biosecurity
- Creation of an electronic file for each unit
According to the Malas plan, the restructuring of the sheep and goat farming sector is expected to reach 372,225,000 euros. The restructuring of the dairy sector is expected to reach 134 million euros, while an additional 63,700,000 will be allocated for scientific support.
The total cost for the restructuring of livestock farming is expected to exceed 610 million euros, with the scientific committee recommending to the government that it utilize national and European funds through the European Union’s new Common Agricultural Policy program, which will begin in 2027.
As an immediate step toward recovery, the committee is proposing an emergency intervention package worth 30 million. Of this amount, 20 million will be allocated to the creation of 10 calf fattening units and 10 lamb and kid fattening units, and another 10 million for the relocation of affected units or supportthose who leave the profession.
“Our goal is for the Cypriot livestock sector to emerge from this ordeal not merely restored but stronger, more modern, more resilient, and above all, more outward-looking and competitive.” Christos Senekis, Minister of Agriculture
According to the plan, the revival of the livestock sector will prioritize large livestock operations.
“I’m not saying we don’t want small-scale livestock farmers; obviously, small-scale farmers are part of the productive fabric, but it is the large operations that supply the market, and large operations carry the greatest risk.” Stavros Malas, Chair of the Scientific Committee
Reactivation will begin once the epidemiological surveys throughout Cyprus are fully completed and it is confirmed that there are no further cases and no active virus.
“For operations to resume, the affected farms must be cleaned, disinfected, and sanitized; manure must be properly managed; and all neighboring farms must also be cleaned.” Christodoulos Pipis, Director of Veterinary Services
Next week, livestock farmers are expected to receive a guide to resuming operations, outlining the specific steps they must follow.
See the report by Eleni Michael
