A serious outbreak of Foot and Mouth Disease is causing big problems for farmers in Cyprus. Many animals have been killed to stop the disease. Farmers are very angry with the government's plans. They say the plans are bad for their money and not fair. The disease started in the Larnaca area on February 20th. Now, it is spreading fast. The government has taken strong actions to stop it from reaching the whole island.
Veterinary Services are trying to get rid of this very catching disease. They have killed about 21,000 goats and sheep. This is happening in places like Livadia. The disease has been found on many farms. New cases are now in Dromolaxia and Meneou. Vaccines are being given to cattle, goats, and sheep. However, the disease is spreading quickly. This means some healthy animals must also be killed.
Farmers are very upset and sad about this. Their businesses are in danger. Many farmers went to Nicosia to protest. They walked from a stadium to the President's house. They gave a letter to President Nikos Christodoulides. They said killing animals with no signs of sickness is wrong. It hurts their businesses and the whole farming industry.
Farmers also do not trust the tests on vaccinated animals. They want money for their lost animals. They also blame Turkish Cypriot authorities for not doing enough. They think EU rules might have helped the disease spread. EU Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi visited, but farmers were still unhappy.
Scientists are studying the disease very carefully. They are taking samples and checking where animals have moved. Police are helping to stop people from moving animals illegally. This disease was very bad in Britain in 2001. It caused huge money problems for farming and tourism. This is a warning for Cyprus.
Veterinary Services worry that the protests might make the disease spread more. This is a difficult problem. They need to stop the disease. But farmers need to survive. This situation is dangerous for Cyprus's farming future.