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Bicommunal Veterinary Committee Discusses Foot-and-Mouth Disease – Greek Cypriot Side Requests Uniform Measures

Published March 17, 2026, 14:14
Bicommunal Veterinary Committee Discusses Foot-and-Mouth Disease – Greek Cypriot Side Requests Uniform Measures

The Bicommunal Veterinary Committee met today to discuss the situation regarding foot-and-mouth disease. The meeting was held at the request of the Greek Cypriot side. According to the co-chair of the Committee, Leonidas Phylactou, the committee has met at least four times since the first case was detected in the occupied territories and is in constant communication. The Greek Cypriot side proposed to the Turkish Cypriot side to consider changing their strategy and implementing uniform EU protocols on both sides. In the occupied territories, mass culling of animals has not been carried out, except in very serious cases. The Turkish Cypriot members of the committee reported that the disease has been contained in the Lapathos area and vaccination continues with the aim of vaccinating the entire livestock population in the occupied territories. Sampling also continues in other areas. The committee will study the request for a change of strategy and will respond. The policy of uniform management was also followed during the coronavirus pandemic.