Cyprus unveils aid plan for farmers hit by foot-and-mouth outbreak
Agriculture Minister Christos Senekis presented MPs with a timetable for restarting affected livestock units and outlined fresh compensation for lost income and higher costs.
Cyprus's agriculture ministry has set out how it will compensate livestock farmers whose income suffered during the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, as reported by Cyprus Mail. Minister Christos Senekis told the House agriculture committee on Tuesday that payments will cover at least a year of lost earnings and be released in two halves.
Half the money comes when animals are ordered and the rest once they are back on farms, he explained. Senekis also said three more projects worth €10 million are being prepared for rebuilding herds, moving units and easing overcrowding, while separate aid of €2.5 million targets diesel, supplies and fertiliser, alongside €4.6 million in EU funds for drought damage.
“The price of dyed agricultural diesel alone rose by approximately 55 cents in 2026. Annual consumption stands at 22 million litres,” said committee chairman and Akel MP Yiannakis Gavriel.
What it means for residents
For anyone whose livelihood depends on livestock — or who simply buys halloumi and other local dairy — the pace of reopening matters. Delays keep supply tight and costs high, and the aid on offer is split into stages, so cash flow stays a concern for smaller units.
- Check the timetable for your district before restocking, since reopening dates depend on when each unit is ready.
- Plan around the two-stage payout — half on ordering animals, half after they are settled — when budgeting for the coming months.
- Watch dairy prices, as a slow return to full production could keep pressure on local halloumi supply.
This text is written from the source article and is not a translation of it.
