Nicosia: Increasing sheep and goat productivity and developing livestock fattening units away from existing farms are among the key priorities of a report by the Special Scientific Committee on the restructuring of the livestock sector, its head, Stavros Malas, told CNA. Malas submitted the report to the President of the Republic on Thursday, indicating the government's satisfaction with most of the highlighted points.
According to Cyprus News Agency, Malas emphasized the Committee's work, which focused on managing farms affected by foot-and-mouth disease to prevent recurrence. 'We found that 84 of the 121 farms were located in livestock farming zones, with units situated next to one another,' he reported, highlighting the high risk of disease spread under such conditions. Livestock farming zones, he added, exacerbated the problem.
The Committee proposed recommendations for farmers returning to livestock farming, emphasizing the need to ease overcrowding in these zones. Malas noted that not all affected farmers were expected to return, necessitating reorganization where necessary.
The report's second part contained broader proposals for the livestock sector, with a focus on balanced development of dairy and meat production. While dairy production supports the halloumi industry, Malas noted challenges beyond the cheese's Protected Designation of Origin status, including future European biosecurity, animal welfare, and environmental responsibility requirements. He mentioned that difficult decisions would be needed regarding the halloumi trade.
Regarding meat production, Malas pointed out an underdeveloped supply chain, leading to a 'vast shadow economy involving the occupied areas' and issues with livestock trade intended for slaughter. 'We have not ensured suitable fattening conditions that would allow animals to reach their full productive potential,' he remarked.
Malas highlighted the need for increased sheep and goat farming support to boost animal productivity, while cattle farming required improvements in welfare, biosecurity, and productivity. 'We need to increase productivity per animal so that we can produce milk with fewer animals,' he added.
Media reports estimated the proposal costs at pound 610 million. Malas neither confirmed nor denied this figure, stating the measures would require national funding. He noted that Cyprus could secure funds through the EU's Common Agricultural Policy starting in 2028, while also expressing potential for ad hoc funding discussions with the European Commission due to unique territorial control challenges.
Malas identified urgent measures, including immediate subsidies for livestock fattening units away from current farms to ease overcrowding and stabilize meat trade, which would help address issues leading to previous disease outbreaks. Additionally, a livestock replacement program launching next year aimed at increasing productivity through modern breeding and genetic analysis methods was prioritized. Importing more productive animals was not deemed a viable solution due to limited import capacity.
In a Thursday statement, Malas announced that the Committee's findings and recommendations would be publicly presented in due course.