Cyprus Government Approves Compensation Plan for Piglet Culling Amid Disease Outbreak
The Cyprus Council of Ministers has approved a compensation plan to fund the destruction of up to 33,000 healthy piglets. This decision comes as a response to the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak that has severely impacted Cyprus's pig farming sector. The Department of Agriculture has designed the 'Support Plan for the Pig Farming Sector (Piglets)' to provide financial compensation for the destruction of animals, aiming to curb collapsing prices and manage market surpluses caused by an export ban. The European Commission has extended restriction zones across Cyprus, imposing a full ban on exports of fresh meat and non-heat-treated products until August 1, 2026. The inability to sell products abroad has led to significant disruptions in the domestic market, with unsold animals exceeding optimal weight, degrading quality, and increasing losses. The government has described the measure as harsh but necessary, with a maximum total compensation amount of €1,650,000 available. Farmers can apply for aid, estimated... 
