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The problem that has emerged in the livestock sector as a result of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Cyprus is enormous, highlighting the long-standing problems and state shortcomings that have plagued the sector.
In other words, foot-and-mouth disease caught us off guard and brought to the surface serious issues that should have been addressed decades ago. Problems that should have been resolved many years ago have now emerged because of the outbreak of the disease, proving once again that we first allow the damage to occur and then rush to save whatever can be saved. But is this approach justified? Can the primary sector, in general, move forward into the modern era with such a strategy and mentality?
Let us not forget that livestock farming is intrinsically linked to Cyprus’s dairy and export products, which have also been affected following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. This has significantly impacted exports of our livestock products, resulting in substantial economic losses.
At the same time, the losses caused by the culling of infected animals have inflicted enormous damage on livestock farmers. Many of them, in fact, have seen their entire livelihoods and assets disappear.
It is worth noting that foot-and-mouth disease affected 121 livestock farms across Cyprus and resulted in the culling of 84,133 animals.
More specifically, the losses and culling of animals due to foot-and-mouth disease reached:
- 56,632 sheep and goats
- 24,483 cattle
- 3,018 pigs
Another significant problem — if not the most important of all those that emerged — following the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and the culling of animals was milk production, as well as the production of Cyprus’s traditional cheese, halloumi, which is also one of the country’s strongest export products.
According to the figures in the report, the livestock farms affected produced a total of 4.06% of Cyprus’s total milk production in 2025. In the case of sheep and goat farming, however, 8.97% of annual sheep and goat milk production was lost, compared with 2.72% of cow’s milk production. Specifically, for 2026, sheep and goat milk production is projected to record a shortfall of 6.4 million litres.
The problem appears to be particularly significant for halloumi production, since a shortage of sheep and goat milk is expected in 2026 which, according to government estimates, amounts to 144.04 million litres.
The role of the state
In such a situation, the Cypriot state could not remain uninvolved. For this reason, the report of the “Special Scientific Committee” was prepared and made public. It includes a twelve-year plan (2027–2038) for the reconstruction and revival of Cyprus’s primary livestock sector.
The total budget for addressing all the structural problems of the livestock sector amounts to €610.9 million, representing a 565% increase compared with the 2014–2025 period, during which approximately €91.5 million was spent on livestock farming.
The overall plan includes three measures aimed at addressing the effects of the crisis and restructuring the livestock sector.
Let us look at the details
The first measure aims to upgrade and strengthen sheep and goat farming, with a budget reaching €372.225 million. This is also the largest expenditure among the three measures.
The second measure concerns cattle farming and includes expenditure of €134 million, with the aim of upgrading, strengthening and improving this particular livestock sector.
The third measure concerns specific interventions, including the creation of animal fattening units, electronic biosecurity systems, animal welfare measures and the relocation of livestock farms.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the livestock sector has been severely affected by foot-and-mouth disease, exposing all the structural weaknesses and shortcomings of the relevant state authorities, which appeared unprepared to deal with such a critical problem.
Let us hope, however, that this crisis will also become the starting point for the revival of a healthy primary sector that can leave behind all the problems that had been lurking beneath the surface, simply waiting for an opportunity to emerge.