The deadly animal plague threatens to wipe out the island’s entire livestock sector, jeopardizing production of Cypriot Halloumi cheese.
Panayiotou announced Tuesday an “increase in compensation” for sheep and goat farmers whose animals are culled, with exact amounts to be determined in the coming days. Compensation amounts already exceeded those initially foreseen by the EU’s maximum values.
Increased fines will also be imposed on those found to be illegally moving livestock to and from the north. Animals will be subject to two forms of diagnostics: a PCR test for FMD and the Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay, known as ELISA, which tests blood. Panayiotou also said that a nationwide vaccination campaign is “being rapidly completed” and checks across the divided island will rise significantly.
Some farm unions representatives still expressed their dissatisfaction after the meeting, as they hoped they could prevent mass culling.