Brussels: The European Union Commissioner for Health, Oliver V¡rhelyi, met with the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment of Cyprus, Maria Panayiotou, in Brussels, stressing that the rapid containment of the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and support for farmers are top priorities.
According to Cyprus News Agency, the Commissioner emphasized the importance of immediate action and support for Cyprus. 'Met Minister Maria Panayiotou to coordinate the quick response to foot-and-mouth disease. Our priority is to contain the outbreak fast and support farmers. The Commission will help deliver first vaccine doses already these days,' V¡rhelyi announced on X, following the meeting on the margins of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council.
He further stated, 'we will also support Cyprus with all the available EU tools, including funding and compensation options. Full compliance with restrictions is key to contain the disease. We stand fully with Cyprus authorities combatting the outbreaks. EU experts will be on the ground from tomorrow.' An EU official confirmed that the European Commission can deploy on-site expert support to Cyprus via an EUVET team.
The EUVET team is scheduled to arrive in Cyprus on Tuesday, 24 February, focusing on areas under the control of the Government. Previously, EUVET had supported areas of Cyprus under Turkish occupation in December 2025. At the EU level, the team will report its feedback to the Standing Committee on animal health. The official noted that past recommendations from EUVET have included actions related to the exchange of information, transport of animals, culling, and vaccination.
In response to inquiries about the 500,000 foot-and-mouth disease vaccines delivered to Turkish-occupied areas on 13 February, the official stated that it is too soon to evaluate their effectiveness. 'The vaccines arrived on 13 February, so it is too early to make an assessment,' the official explained. Additionally, the fight against animal diseases remains a key component of the Commission's One Health policy. The Commission is closely monitoring the foot-and-mouth disease outbreak confirmed on 20 February 2026 in Cyprus.