Animal culling measures linked to foot-and-mouth disease are continuing as planned in Cyprus, Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou said on Thursday, while stressing that the government remains in constant dialogue with all stakeholders over halloumi production and PDO protection.
Speaking after a Cabinet meeting, Panayiotou said culling operations were proceeding normally, including in the village of Pachna, and noted that authorities had not reported any resistance so far.
‘According to the information I have from Veterinary Services in Limassol, the procedures are continuing normally with police escort,’ she said.
On halloumi, the Minister said the government was maintaining continuous consultations through the Halloumi Monitoring Committee, aiming to safeguard halloumi as Cyprus’ main agri-food export product, preserve its Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status and ensure the viability of all parties involved.
She noted that since October 2024 the government has been recording available goat and sheep milk quantities, adding that a temporary reduction in the milk quota ratio had become necessary due to a significant decline in supply.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet approved stricter penalties under the Animal Health Law.
Under the revised framework, penalties for violations of animal health provisions increase from up to six months imprisonment or a pound 3,323 fine to up to five years imprisonment or a pound 250,000 fine.
For illegal movement of animals or animal products from areas outside the effective control of the Republic, penalties rise to up to 10 years imprisonment or a pound 250,000 fine.
Administrative fines imposed by the Veterinary Services Director for non-compliance with EU and national legislation will also increase from pound 5,000 to pound 100,000.