Malas calls for livestock overhaul after foot-and-mouth outbreak

**Cyprus Government to Review Livestock Sector After Foot‑and‑Mouth Outbreak**

*Nicosia, 28 August 2026* – The Special Scientific Committee for the Reconstruction of Livestock Farming, chaired by Dr. Stavros Malas, submitted a report to President Nikos Christodoulides on Thursday outlining a series of recommendations aimed at overhauling Cyprus’s livestock industry in the wake of a recent foot‑and‑mouth disease (FMD) outbreak.

The committee’s findings, presented to the Cyprus News Agency (CNA), focus on two main areas:

1. **Resumption of Operations for Affected Farms**
– Of the 121 farms identified as having been impacted by the FMD outbreak, 84 were located in zones where livestock units are clustered closely together, a factor the committee says amplified disease transmission.
– The report proposes measures to reduce congestion in these zones, including the development of dedicated animal‑fattening units situated away from existing farms.
– Not all affected farmers are expected to restart operations; the committee recommends restructuring where appropriate.

2. **Long‑Term Reorganisation of the Sector**
– The document calls for a more balanced development of milk and meat production.
– Regarding dairy, Dr. Malas noted that milk output underpins the island’s halloumi industry but warned that future trade could be constrained by European Union (EU) bio‑security, animal‑welfare and environmental standards. “Difficult decisions are coming for the halloumi trade,” he said.
– On meat production, the committee highlighted a “huge shadow economy” linked to the movement of animals across the island’s divided territories, stating that the sector has not been properly developed to ensure optimal animal‑fattening yields.
– The report recommends targeted support for sheep and goat farming to boost productivity, and improvements in cattle welfare, bio‑security and efficiency.

**Cost and Funding**

Media reports on Friday have estimated the cost of implementing the committee’s proposals at approximately €610 million, though Dr. Malas neither confirmed nor denied this figure. He indicated that the measures would require national expenditure, but noted that the EU’s Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) could provide funding, especially once the European Commission’s new funding package commences in 2028. Malas also suggested that Cyprus might seek ad‑hoc financing from the Commission due to the Republic’s limited control over parts of its territory, which he said heightens livestock‑related risks.

**Priorities for Immediate Action**

When asked which initiatives should be addressed first, Dr. Malas identified two priorities:

1. **Subsidies for New Fattening Units** – Immediate financial support to establish animal‑fattening facilities away from existing farms, allowing livestock to be transferred from production sites and reducing density in traditional farming zones.
2. **Productive Replacement Programme** – From next year, a programme to replace livestock using modern breeding techniques and genetic analysis. The committee advises against relying on imports of high‑productivity animals, arguing that limited import numbers would have minimal impact. Instead, it proposes creating breeding nuclei of local or imported breeds at farms that were not affected by the outbreak, to supply the domestic market.

**Next Steps**

The committee’s findings and recommendations will be made public in the coming weeks. Government spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis said the proposals will be presented to stakeholders for comment before finalisation and implementation. “The aim is the restructuring of a vital sector in our country, the livestock sector,” he said, adding that the committee’s work includes specific medium‑ and long‑term proposals.

The report underscores the government’s intent to address both the immediate bio‑security concerns raised by the FMD outbreak and the broader structural challenges facing Cyprus’s livestock industry.

Article and image source: cyprus-mail.com