The government will support all those affected by the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak, President Nikos Christodoulides reaffirmed on Friday evening, while pointing out that violating EU protocols would cut off Cyprus’ funding.

Earlier in the day, Christodoulides met with the farmers and agricultural organisations.

“I would like to say that this is certainly a crucial moment. We all understand how crucial times are, which demand difficult decisions with the only aim – and this is important – to see how we manage the situation in the long term,” he said.

Speaking on arrival for an event in Ayia Napa, Christodoulides said “decisions were made in this context” and reiterated that “the government stands by all those affected, all our farmers, for anything that may arise in the handling of this crucial state of affairs”.

The president said EU protocols must be adhered to, however beyond that there should be stricter inspections and the rest of the farms must be shielded.

Referring to the culling process, Christodoulides said it would continue, explaining that non-implementation of the EU protocols would place Cyprus outside the common market with repercussions felt in other sectors, including tourism.

“It would mean a restriction of exports, it would mean no financial support on behalf of the EU and much more,” he added. 

Regarding calls from Disy and Akel for the resignation of Agriculture Minister Maria Panayiotou, Christodoulides said “their view is respected”.

“Their views are identical – if you look – in all issues of home governance,” he pointed out. 

Concluding his remarks, the president said he would continue meeting with the farmers to discuss the way forward.

Speaking after the president’s meeting with the farmers at the presidential palace, government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said this was the second one this week with all involved farmers, departments and services.

The aim, he said, was to support, protect and strengthen the primary sector.

The spokesman pointed out that observing the EU protocols faithfully was “the only way to prevent further spreading [of the disease] and overcome this situation as fast as possible”.

In this context, Letymbiotis thanked the private vets for joining efforts to contain the disease.

Asked how the spreading of the disease could be stopped given that the government had no control over the north, Letymbiotis said measures were being examined.

Following the meeting, head of the New Agricultural Movement Takis Christodoulou called on farmers to avoid staging protests, explaining that the virus was highly contagious and could be transmitted easily from clothing.

Thus, he said, mass gatherings should be avoided.

Christodoulou pointed out that if the disease spread further, the repercussions would be “dramatic” for the farming sector.

He added that once all farms were clear, a development he placed around September, livestock would be imported from European countries where the disease had not manifested.

Head of the swine-herders Petros Kailas said things were “difficult” for the sector, however culling was necessary to ensure that the disease would not spread.

Kailas called on Christodoulides to examine the possibility of closing the crossing points as an additional measure.