**Farmers’ Union Criticizes Veterinary Services Over Foot-and-Mouth Disease Compensation Delays**
The Cyprus Farmers’ Union, representing the interests of livestock breeders, has publicly criticized the veterinary services for their handling of compensation payments related to the recent foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak. The union's chief, Neophytos Neophytou, voiced concerns during a broadcast on CyBC, highlighting that seven farms have yet to receive the compensation they are owed after their animals were culled as part of the government’s response to the outbreak.
Neophytou emphasized that these farms had operated legally for many years, were subject to regular inspections, and had fully complied with authorities during the culling process. He stated that the delay in compensation has placed an additional burden on farmers already affected by the disease.
In response to the union's claims, Christodoulos Pipis, the director of veterinary services, defended his department's actions, stating that each case is examined individually based on legal guidance. He confirmed that three of the seven farms had received compensation, while the remaining claims could not be approved due to failure to meet specific legal conditions. Pipis pointed out that it is the farmers' responsibility to accurately declare their animal numbers and movements, noting that compensation cannot be provided for animals not registered in the department’s database.
The issue of compensation has been a contentious topic since the FMD outbreak was first detected in February 2026, leading to the culling of approximately 80,000 animals. Neophytou mentioned to the Cyprus News Agency that four farmers have received no compensation at all, while three others have only been compensated for 15 percent of their claims. Pipis explained that discrepancies between the numbers of animals claimed and those verified during inspections were the primary reason for the shortfall in compensation.
Additionally, Neophytou raised concerns regarding the replacement of culled animals, which is set to begin for three farms in September. He criticized the requirement that replacement animals be unvaccinated, arguing that this stipulation is impractical since most herds have already received vaccinations. He also questioned the delay in initiating the replacement process, which he noted could have started 42 days after disinfection, rather than five months post-culling.
Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis addressed the situation, stating that over a hundred farms have already received compensation, with only a few cases still pending. He mentioned that the government is currently awaiting a study led by Stavros Malas, which aims to provide insights into the reconstruction of the livestock sector following the outbreak.
The ongoing dialogue between the farmers’ union and veterinary services highlights the challenges faced by the agricultural community in Cyprus as they navigate the aftermath of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. The union continues to advocate for timely and fair compensation for affected farmers, while the government seeks to manage the situation in accordance with legal frameworks and public health guidelines.