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Government Concerned About Foot-and-Mouth Disease Spread Unless Protocols are Followed

Published March 17, 2026, 14:12
Government Concerned About Foot-and-Mouth Disease Spread Unless Protocols are Followed

Government Spokesperson Konstantinos Letymbiotis expressed concern about the potential spread of foot-and-mouth disease, emphasizing that the risk increases as long as protocols and procedures proposed by scientists are not fully and faithfully implemented. The government is committed to supporting those affected by the crisis, having already announced a package of measures worth 28 million euros. Mr. Letymbiotis reiterated that the full and immediate implementation of scientific protocols is the quickest and most certain way to overcome the crisis. Despite attempts to politicize the issue, the government remains committed to a scientific approach. President Christodoulides will meet with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels on Wednesday to discuss potential financial and scientific assistance from the EU in tackling the virus. In addition, a special committee has been established to support livestock farming, which will submit proposals within three months. The Spokesperson stressed the need to learn lessons from the current crisis in order to make decisions that will strengthen the primary sector and livestock farming in the long term. The committee will consist of representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Interior, scientists and representatives of stakeholders.