Livestock farmers staged a protest on Sunday amid growing anger over the handling of a surge in foot-and-mouth disease cases, with tensions briefly escalating as demonstrators blocked a main road in Nicosia.

The protest was triggered by recent outbreaks and the spread of the disease to pig farms – prompting farmers to demand an immediate halt to mass culling.

At one point, the situation intensified as protesters moved to the Kalispera traffic lights, where they blocked the road, causing significant congestion, with farmers remaining at the scene for around half an hour.

A representative of the farmers warned that if culling does not stop, further measures will follow.

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“We demand that the minister stops the culling. We want an answer today. If we do not get one, we will shut down Rizoelia roundabout, the port and the airport,” he said, adding that the sector was being pushed to breaking point.

Earlier, around 200 farmers had gathered outside the GSP stadium before marching to the agriculture ministry, where they submitted a memorandum outlining their grievances.

Their main message, according to banners displayed during the protest, was that “with the culling for foot-and-mouth disease, it’s not only animals that are lost – families, livelihoods and our future are also being destroyed”.

Some protesters described the situation as “merciless”, with one farmer, Alexandros Ioannou, saying his farm in Yeri had recently tested positive. “They came and started killing the animals without informing me beforehand. Our dreams are gone,” he said.

Others accused authorities of mismanaging the outbreak and failing to implement adequate preventive measures.

One farmer claimed that infected livestock had been transported from affected areas to slaughterhouses with official approval, alleging serious lapses in oversight.

He called on police and the state to investigate the matter.

Concerns were also raised about the broader economic impact, with protesters warning that the crisis would affect not only farmers but also butchers, restaurants and related industries.

Several farmers questioned the logic behind the culling policy, arguing that only a small number of animals in some farms had tested positive. “We have 15,000 pigs and fewer than 20 were infected. Why should they all be killed?” one said.

Others criticised the lack of compensation and support, with one protester saying, “They are slaughtering animals, discarding them, and offering nothing in return. How are we supposed to survive?”

Animal welfare concerns were also voiced, with participants describing the methods used for euthanasia and calling for greater empathy and clearer protocols.

Farmers warned that further action is imminent, with plans to block major roads, including Rizoelia roundabout, if their demands are not met. “We will take this to the end,” one protester said.

After the demonstration, the farmers delivered their memorandum to the director of Veterinary Services, Christodoulos Pipis.

Some participants claimed they were met with dismissive behaviour during the handover.