**FMD Farmers Claim State is Avoiding Full Compensation Payments**
Farmers affected by the recent foot and mouth disease (FMD) outbreak in Cyprus are expressing frustration over what they allege is the government's reluctance to provide full compensation for their losses. The Voice for Livestock Breeders association has accused the state of exploiting legal loopholes to minimize payments to farmers whose livestock were culled due to the disease.
Neophytos Neophytou, president of the association, voiced these concerns during an appearance on Alpha TV’s Kalimera show. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, “It’s unacceptable for the president himself to come… and say, ‘Pay for the animals we’ve culled and counted,’ while the veterinary services focus on the financial aspects and try to find laws, clauses, and articles to cite in order to find a way to avoid paying people.”
Despite President Nikos Christodoulides issuing clear directives for compensation payments, Neophytou claims that the veterinary services are actively searching for reasons to deny payments to affected farmers. He highlighted that large livestock units have suffered significant losses, with compensation potentially amounting to several million euros.
In response to these allegations, Christodoulos Pipis, the director of the veterinary services, firmly rejected the claims made by Neophytou. He clarified that compensation is only provided to farmers who meet specific legal requirements and maintain accurate records of their livestock. Pipis pointed to a particular case where a farm had declared 6,000 animals but was later found to have only 1,000, indicating discrepancies in reporting.
Neophytou countered Pipis's assertions by suggesting that the veterinary services had been aware of such discrepancies for years but had not acted on them until now, leaving farmers vulnerable. “Then Mr. Pipis, why didn’t you inform the livestock farmers before killing their animals that they would not be paid?” he asked, highlighting the lack of communication from the authorities.
Pipis maintained that the responsibility for accurate animal population declarations lies solely with the farmers, not the state. However, he assured that each case would be examined individually to ensure fair treatment.
The dispute over compensation has arisen in the context of the ongoing FMD outbreak, which has plagued the island since February. In response to the crisis, the government has been actively working to manage the situation, including the culling of thousands of animals. A cabinet decision made in mid-May confirmed that the total compensation allocated to affected farmers would be approximately €35.6 million, which Neophytou noted is significantly higher—up to 200 percent more—than compensation paid per animal in other EU countries.
As of the latest reports, the agricultural ministry announced that the culling of nearly 6,650 animals was completed within a two-day period, and no new cases of foot and mouth disease had been reported as of Tuesday. The swift action taken by the government aims to contain the outbreak and protect the remaining livestock.
The ongoing tension between livestock farmers and the state highlights the challenges faced in managing agricultural crises and the importance of clear communication and support for affected producers. As the situation develops, both sides remain firm in their positions, with farmers advocating for their rights to compensation and state officials emphasizing the need for compliance with legal standards.