Livestock farmers reached the Presidential Palace in Nicosia on Friday afternoon, ending an hours-long standoff with police over their demand for an immediate halt to animal culls at foot-and-mouth disease-infected units.
Photo: en.philenews.com
The farmers had gathered at the GSP Stadium from around 10:00am, intending to march to the palace. However, their procession stalled for hours after police refused to let them bring 16 trucks to the protest site. After some deliberation, the group decided to remain at the stadium, but around 1:00pm, they changed course when police agreed to allow three trucks through. They arrived in large numbers at around 1:40pm and awaited news on whether a delegation could enter for talks.
The delay triggered a tense standoff outside the GSP Stadium. Neofytos Neofytou, president of the organising group Voice of the Livestock Farmers, expressed frustration with the police’s actions. He told television reporters, “They let us gather and now they are coming to break up the demonstration.” Neofytou described the situation as police arriving fully armed, as if the farmers posed a threat. He accused the authorities of using the trucks as a pretext to shut down the protest.
In a direct challenge to the authorities, vice-president Christodoulos Christodoulou stated, “Come to our farms. Pick up a weapon, helmet and gear and come to our farms.” His words highlighted the deep frustration among farmers over the handling of the ongoing crisis.
Police maintained that they understood the farmers’ concerns and respected their right to protest peacefully. They pointed out their responsibility to ensure public safety and keep the road network operational. Authorities noted they had been in contact with protest organisers since the day before, agreeing to specific arrangements, including permission for three pickup trucks and some passenger cars. They affirmed their intention to facilitate a peaceful event.
The protest, spearheaded by Voice of the Livestock Farmers, aimed to address the farmers’ demands for an immediate end to the culling of livestock at infected units. Demonstrators expressed dissatisfaction with how the government has managed the outbreak.
Since the first detection of foot-and-mouth disease in February, the outbreak has spread to around 120 livestock units across the island, resulting in the culling of approximately 71,000 animals. Under EU regulations, if even one animal in a unit tests positive, the entire herd must be slaughtered. Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou has stated that this policy is non-negotiable under EU law.
