Livestock farmers have issued a stern warning of impending protests unless President Nikos Christodoulides agrees to meet with their newly formed association by Monday afternoon.
- Livestock farmers have issued a stern warning of impending protests unless President Nikos Christodoulides agrees to meet with their newly formed association by Monday afternoon.
- As the deadline approaches, the tension between livestock farmers and the government continues to escalate, with the potential for demonstrations looming large on the horizon.
This ultimatum follows a meeting on Saturday between Stavros Malas, head of the Special Scientific Committee for the Reconstruction and Upgrading of the Livestock Sector, and a three-member delegation from the association known as “The Voice of Livestock Farmers.”
During the gathering, Malas updated the farmers on the current situation regarding foot-and-mouth disease and outlined the anticipated next steps. However, farmers were left dissatisfied with the government’s approach.
Christodoulos Christodoulou, a representative of the livestock farmers, expressed frustration with the government’s lack of immediate action. “The government is unacceptable. They are planning for tomorrow; they do not care about today,” he asserted.
Christodoulou further elaborated on the farmers’ concerns, stating, “They put Malas in charge of planning for tomorrow. Today depends on the Veterinary Services, the President and the government.” His comments highlight the urgency of the situation, as farmers feel that immediate solutions are crucial for their livelihoods.
Expressing dissatisfaction with the current plans, Christodoulou remarked, “They have no solution; they have no plan. The President has until Monday afternoon.” He firmly stated that if the President does not agree to a meeting with the association, they will resort to protests as a means of conveying their discontent.
This warning comes amid growing concerns over foot-and-mouth disease, with recent reports confirming two new cases identified in Athienou goat and sheep farms. The emergence of this disease poses significant risks to the livestock sector, and farmers are keen to ensure that their issues are addressed promptly.
As the deadline approaches, the tension between livestock farmers and the government continues to escalate, with the potential for demonstrations looming large on the horizon.
