Cypriot MEP demands suspension of agricultural funding in the north of the island due to foot-and-mouth disease outbreak

Cypriot MEP Costas Mavrides has appealed to the European Commission, demanding an immediate suspension of financial aid to agriculture in the unrecognized TRNC until the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak is fully under control.

According to data cited in the appeal, between 2006 and 2024, the European Union directed approximately 728 million euros to support the Turkish Cypriot community. A significant portion of these funds was invested in the agricultural sector, including bringing food safety and animal health standards up to EU norms, as well as supporting halloumi production.

Additional funding programs have continued in recent years: tens of millions of euros were directed toward agricultural development, veterinary measures, and cooperatives. A further 33.7 million euros is earmarked for 2025.

However, according to Mavrides, the current foot-and-mouth outbreak has revealed serious violations. More than 100 farms on the island have been infected, and thousands of animals have been culled. At the same time, the MEP claims that EU disease control measures are not being sufficiently followed in the northern part of Cyprus.

In a letter addressed to the European Commissioner for Agriculture, Christophe Hansen, Mavrides questioned the fairness of the situation, where farmers in government-controlled areas suffer losses while strictly following EU protocols, while in the north, similar measures are allegedly ignored.

The MEP demands not only an immediate suspension of funding but also an audit of funds already allocated. He also insists that further aid be provided only on the condition of full compliance with veterinary standards and the eradication of the disease.

According to Mavrides, the foot-and-mouth situation is moving beyond a veterinary issue and gaining political significance. There has been no official response from the European Commission to the appeal yet.