Statement by AKEL General Secretary Stefanos Stefanou on his meeting with livestock farmers in the Larnaca district

 

25 February 2026, AKEL C.C. Press Office, Nicosia

The General Secretary of AKEL met today with livestock farmers in the Larnaca district, with whom he discussed the measures that need to be taken to combat foot-and-mouth disease.

The statement by the General Secretary of AKEL follows:

“I must say that the meeting we had with livestock farmers was very useful. It is through these meetings that you realize the extent of the concern, pain, anger, and indignation because the farmers are convinced that the relevant Ministry and services have shown to say the least negligence on the matter of foot-and-mouth disease. They cited many specific examples, raising many questions that no one in authority is answering. However, uncertainty fuels concern, indignation, and anger.

The competent authorities must be in constant contact with livestock farmers, especially those affected. I call on the Minister of Agriculture, the Director of Veterinary Services, and all other relevant authorities to immediately contact livestock farmers and those affected to provide answers, inform them, and get everyone to work together to deal with these issues.

Of course, there are some immediate tasks to be done. First of all, all necessary measures must be taken to limit the spread of the disease and protect the animal population. At the same time, the primary task is to provide financial support to all those affected and all those who have suffered. Many people have invested a great deal of capital and effort, their entire livelihood, and the state must support those who have been destroyed or affected by the disease. This must be done immediately, effectively, and reflecting real prices.

Other issues have also been raised that relate to the prospects for producers. Because those who have been affected now have no income and cannot meet their obligations, their loans, their employees’ salaries, the state must soon provide specific answers. And because things are developing fast and obligations are mounting, we at AKEL, beyond the issue we tabled for debate yesterday and discussed in Parliament, have promised that we will try to get in touch with all the relevant parties so that we can raise the questions and demands and get immediate answers. For example, where there are loans that cannot be met, the state should either require banks to suspend payments or come forward itself to discuss how it will support producers who have been devastated.

At the same time, we have committed to coming here again next week, because it is very important that, beyond the announcements made, there is also scrutiny over the implementation of these announcements and the speed with which the decisions in question are implemented.

Where there is the political will to help people, the necessary solutions are found and the correct decisions are taken. That is precisely what we are working on.

25.02.2026