Philenews

Cyprus: Blame Game Over Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak

Published March 18, 2026, 10:15
Cyprus: Blame Game Over Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak

The journalist strongly criticizes the Turkish Cypriot reaction to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the occupied territories, as they blame the “South” for spreading the disease. The so-called “minister” of agriculture of the occupied territories claims the disease was imported from the south, while the journalist points out that Turkey is one of the most infected countries. He highlights the differences in tackling the disease, with Cyprus following European protocols (animal culling) and the occupied territories preferring only vaccinations, which endangers the eradication of the disease. The Bicommunal Technical Committee on Health has met several times, but there seems to be no agreement on a common strategy.