The ongoing foot and mouth disease outbreak has prompted Disy leader Annita Demetriou to demand the resignation of Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou. The crisis, which has primarily affected the Larnaca district, has resulted in the culling of over 13,500 animals to curb its spread.
- The crisis surrounding foot and mouth disease continues to unfold, with the public and political figures closely monitoring the developments.
Demetriou described the situation as “dramatic and out of control,” emphasising the human impact behind the alarming figures. “Behind the numbers, there are people,” she stated, highlighting the distress faced by livestock farmers, workers, and families grappling with uncertainty.
During a recent address, Demetriou expressed concern over the lack of coordinated communication from the government and the ministry. She pointed out that the public is receiving conflicting messages regarding the culling protocols, which undermines trust and compliance during this public health crisis. “In such serious cases, society expected a unified coordination of operations and communication,” she remarked.
Demetriou specifically criticised the handling of the crisis, stating, “We cannot watch an entire sector, livestock farming, be destroyed…” She referred to contradictory assurances from the government regarding the culling of asymptomatic animals, which only served to heighten public anxiety.
Maria Panayiotou defended her position by citing European Union laws that mandate the culling of any animal from a livestock unit where foot and mouth disease is detected. She warned that non-compliance could jeopardise Cyprus’s standing in the EU single market and lead to severe restrictions on the movement of goods and services.
As the situation escalates, both of Cyprus’s major political parties have now called for Panayiotou’s resignation. The opposition party, Akel, had previously demanded her departure, citing not only her handling of the current outbreak but also her responses to previous crises, including wildfires in Limassol and water shortages affecting the island.
Akel’s criticism reflects broader concerns about the government’s crisis management. They described the current outbreak as a result of a failure to act promptly and decisively, stating that the livestock industry is suffering an unprecedented blow.
In response to the mounting criticism, the government accused Demetriou of politicising the public health crisis, labelling her approach as a bid for electoral gain ahead of parliamentary elections. A government statement asserted that all necessary measures and EU protocols had been adhered to, with veterinary services actively working to contain the outbreak.
As the government continues to coordinate with the European Commission, veterinary professionals are reportedly engaged in an ongoing battle to manage the situation. The Cypriot president has also raised the matter with the Commission, and a visit from a European commissioner is anticipated to provide additional support to affected farmers.
The crisis surrounding foot and mouth disease continues to unfold, with the public and political figures closely monitoring the developments.
