Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on February 24, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 2, 2026
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Cyprus imposed livestock controls after foot and mouth was confirmed at 11 farms in Larnaca. Animal movements are restricted nationwide as biosecurity tightens. Officials say dairy exports remain unaffected.
NICOSIA, Feb 24 (Reuters) - Cyprus imposed strict livestock controls on Tuesday after authorities confirmed multiple cases of foot and mouth disease, triggering nationwide restrictions on the movement of animals and heightened biosecurity measures across farming areas.
Veterinary officials said an outbreak had been detected at 11 farms in the southern district of Larnaca after an initial diagnosis at one on February 20. The region borders a dividing line splitting the island, and cases of foot and mouth had also been reported in the Turkish Cypriot-controlled north in December.
Authorities said the situation was difficult but that there had been no impact so far on dairy exports. Cyprus' prized Halloumi cheese is one of the island's key exports.
"It appears, based on preliminary information that there were possible illegal activities, which led to the difficult, very difficult state of affairs that we have to manage today," Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides told reporters, without elaborating.
There have been widespread reports of unauthorised transport of hay from the northern parts of the island to the south. The last outbreak of foot and mouth among livestock was again in the Larnaca area in 2007.
(Writing by Michele Kambas. Editing by Mark Potter)
Cyprus has imposed strict livestock controls after confirming foot and mouth disease in multiple farms in Larnaca. The move includes nationwide restrictions and heightened biosecurity.
Authorities banned animal movements without approval, activated protection and surveillance zones, and set up disinfection points and road controls around affected farming areas.
Officials say there has been no impact on dairy exports so far, including Halloumi. Monitoring and disease-control measures continue to safeguard supply chains.
The last foot and mouth outbreak among livestock in Cyprus was recorded in the Larnaca area in 2007.
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