**Nicosia, Cyprus** – The Republic of Cyprus is grappling with a significant biosecurity challenge following the identification of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in a livestock unit within the occupied northern territories. The outbreak, confirmed last week in the village of Lapathos near Famagusta, has prompted an urgent escalation of preventative measures across the island, with authorities working assiduously to prevent its ingress into government-controlled areas and to mitigate severe economic repercussions.
The alarm was first raised by private veterinarians who observed clinical signs consistent with FMD in approximately 70 cattle. Subsequently, the Veterinary Services of Cyprus confirmed the presence of the highly contagious viral disease in the occupied region. In response, a heightened state of readiness has been declared, and emergency monitoring protocols have been activated across the Republic. Christodoulos Pipis, Director of Veterinary Services, described the situation as “critical,” underscoring the difficulty of achieving “absolute containment” given the disease's transboundary nature.
Authorities have significantly bolstered preventative strategies, enacting nationwide controls and intensifying border security measures along the Green Line, the UN-patrolled buffer zone separating the island. The Cyprus Police and the Customs Department are conducting more rigorous patrols and inspections, with a specific focus on preventing the illicit movement of animals and animal products. Citizens have been urged to report any instances of animals straying or grazing near the dividing line, a critical vector for potential transmission.
The discovery has already had immediate and far-reaching economic consequences. Australia, a key market for Cypriot agricultural exports, has swiftly removed the Republic from its list of FMD-free countries. This decision has resulted in an immediate ban on halloumi cheese and other dairy products, a devastating blow to the Cypriot economy, which heavily relies on these exports. The Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment, led by Minister Maria Panayiotou, has been actively engaging with international bodies, including the European Commission and Australian authorities, to address the situation and challenge the import restrictions. Cyprus is reportedly preparing interventions at the World Trade Organisation to contest Australia's unilateral action.
The Veterinary Services have implemented a suite of 16 targeted measures, encompassing stricter inspections and expanded controls, to fortify biosecurity. Consultations have been held with stakeholders, including private veterinarians and livestock facility operators, to reinforce biosecurity protocols. A delegation of experts from the European Commission has also visited the occupied areas to conduct an on-site assessment of the outbreak, a move aimed at gathering firsthand information to inform the bloc's response.
Officials have categorically dismissed any suggestions that the disease originated in government-controlled areas and subsequently spread through illicit trade. The focus remains squarely on containing the current outbreak and preventing further spread, particularly as the festive Christmas period approaches, a time when cross-border movement and trade often increase. The potential impact on shipments currently en route abroad is also a significant concern, as authorities strive to manage the unfolding crisis with a combination of robust on-the-ground measures and strategic international diplomacy.