Cyprus and Greece agreed to step up cooperation on foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) after talks in Nicosia on Tuesday between Cyprus Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou and her Greek counterpart, Rural Development and Food Minister, former European Commission Vice-President Margaritis Schinas, a joint statement said.
They reviewed the situation and agreed to deepen coordination within the EU framework, including regular exchanges of epidemiological data and closer cooperation between veterinary and scientific teams.
A joint working group will be set up to ensure daily coordination, data sharing and alignment on biosecurity measures and compensation. Cyprus Agriculture Ministry Permanent Secretary Andreas Gregoriou and Greece’s Secretary-General for Rural Development and Food Spyros Protopsaltis said it will bring together veterinary officials and technical staff to enable real-time communication and the exchange of best practices.
The two countries will also step up biosecurity measures in line with EU protocols and share best practices on surveillance and outbreak management, including disinfection procedures and movement controls.
Protopsaltis described FMD as a ‘highly contagious’ disease and a ‘real threat’ to livestock, noting Greece has been working to contain an outbreak in the island of Lesbos for six weeks.
In Cyprus, around 110 farms have been affected, with losses estimated at 10% in sheep and goats, 3% in cattle and about 8% in other categories, Gregoriou said. He added that mapping of affected and at-risk farms is under way in Athienou to guide further measures.
Gregoriou urged authorities and farmers to fully implement the measures, stressing the seriousness of the risk.
Officials said strict enforcement of biosecurity rules remains the only effective response, with culling carried out in line with EU regulations and scientific guidance.
Protopsaltis also pointed to EU-level discussions on animal disease risks, warning of growing threats to livestock amid successive crises.