17-03-2026 14:41
FMD spreading concerns to persist if protocols are not followed, Spokesperson says
As long as the protocols and procedures recommended by scientists are not fully and faithfully implemented, the risk of further spread of foot-and-mouth disease to other areas is evident, said Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis.
Responding to questions from journalists during a media briefing and asked if there is concern about the spread of the virus, the Government Spokesperson replied that “there is certainly such concern, and as long as the protocols—the procedures that scientists have developed and recommend—are not fully and faithfully implemented, this risk remains.”
He added that “what they have stated regarding a strictly scientific issue—even if attempts have been made to turn it into a political one—is that the surest way, the quickest way to overcome this major crisis, is the fullest and swiftest implementation of the protocols and procedures.”
Letymbiotis reiterated that the Government will do what it must, “to stand by and support those affected by this crisis.”
To this end, he noted that “the full package of nine measures, amounting to 28 million euro, was announced yesterday by the Government for those who have been affected. And of course, we will remain in constant coordination with the European Union and the European Commission, precisely to explore all possible ways to support workers.”
It is noted that on Wednesday in Brussels, President Christodoulides will meet with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, with whom he will discuss, among other things, the European Commission’s potential assistance in combating the virus.
According to reports, the amount of potential financial assistance from the EU will be examined, as well as any practical and scientific contributions that can be provided to combat the virus.
It is also noted that the measures approved by the Council of Ministers on Monday included the establishment of a special committee to support the livestock sector, headed by Stavros Malas. Asked about the committee’s timeline, the Government Spokesperson said that the goal is for the committee to finalize the proposal it will present within three months.
“In this context, decisions will be made immediately regarding both the establishment and the composition of the committee,” he noted, recalling that the committee will be comprised by officials from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of the Interior, and the scientific community, as well as representatives of the relevant stakeholders, “so that they too can contribute to this major effort”.
Letymbiotis also noted that we must “draw the important lessons needed from this crisis we are experiencing today and make decisions that, over the course of a decade, could prove very beneficial for the primary sector and our livestock industry.”
The Government Spokesperson was also asked to comment on a post by Turkish Cypriot leader Tufan Erhurman, in which he blamed the Greek Cypriot side for foot-and-mouth disease, while simultaneously calling for the establishment of a Technical Bi-communal Committee on halloumi. Letymbiotis noted that there is a competent Technical Committee on Health with a subcommittee on livestock issues. “The Technical Committee is meeting today, and it is within the scope of this Technical Committee’s responsibilities that all issues can be discussed,” he said.
He also added that, according to statements by the relevant European Union Commissioner, protocols and procedures must be followed in the Turkish occupied areas as well. “What we are calling for is that these protocols, these procedures for dealing with this deadly disease, be applied in the occupied areas as well,” he said.
Thousands of animals, including cattle and sheep, were affected in several livestock units in Larnaca district, following a food and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak, first reported on February 20. This followed an FMD outbreak in the island’s Turkish-occupied areas last December. Authorities proceed with a nationwide vaccination campaign of animals to contain the virus, while EU rules require all animals in the infected areas to be culled, bringing about a series of repercussions in livestock farming and other agricultural economic activities. Halloumi, Cyprus’ top agricultural export product, has been spared. Experts reiterate that FMD is not dangerous to humans.
