Cypriot authorities have imposed nationwide restrictions on the movement of livestock, vehicles and farm personnel after confirming foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) at 11 farms in Larnaca district. Emergency measures include police checkpoints, disinfection corridors and permits for any transport of animals, feed or farm equipment between districts and across the island’s UN-patrolled buffer zone.
Border-control dimension: The outbreak has an unusual mobility angle. Veterinary officials suspect that unauthorised hay shipments from the Turkish-controlled north may have spread the virus southwards. As a result, the government is coordinating with UNFICYP and customs officers to tighten checks at crossing points, potentially slowing commercial traffic that normally flows between the two communities.
Economic stakes: Cyprus exports more than €320 million of Halloumi cheese annually. Maintaining “FMD-free” status with the World Organisation for Animal Health is therefore critical. Any international ban on Cypriot dairy could hit freight forwarders and cold-chain operators that serve Gulf and UK supermarkets.
![Foot-and-mouth outbreak triggers strict movement controls across Cyprus]()
Travel considerations: Foreign veterinarians, supply-chain auditors or insurance assessors who need to enter Cyprus on short notice can streamline their visa or entry permit applications through VisaHQ’s dedicated Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/). The service monitors real-time government updates—including any temporary FMD bio-security declarations—and helps applicants compile the correct documents, reducing the risk of last-minute border delays.
Corporate impact: • Agribusiness firms must obtain veterinary movement permits before dispatching goods. • Logistics providers should anticipate delays on the Nicosia–Larnaca corridor and adjust delivery schedules. • Multinational retailers sourcing Cypriot dairy should activate contingency plans in case export certificates are suspended.
Next steps: The agriculture ministry has mobilised additional veterinarians and may cull up to 14,000 animals if new clusters appear. Authorities will review border measures after a 21-day observation window.
Border-control dimension: The outbreak has an unusual mobility angle. Veterinary officials suspect that unauthorised hay shipments from the Turkish-controlled north may have spread the virus southwards. As a result, the government is coordinating with UNFICYP and customs officers to tighten checks at crossing points, potentially slowing commercial traffic that normally flows between the two communities.
Economic stakes: Cyprus exports more than €320 million of Halloumi cheese annually. Maintaining “FMD-free” status with the World Organisation for Animal Health is therefore critical. Any international ban on Cypriot dairy could hit freight forwarders and cold-chain operators that serve Gulf and UK supermarkets.
Travel considerations: Foreign veterinarians, supply-chain auditors or insurance assessors who need to enter Cyprus on short notice can streamline their visa or entry permit applications through VisaHQ’s dedicated Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/). The service monitors real-time government updates—including any temporary FMD bio-security declarations—and helps applicants compile the correct documents, reducing the risk of last-minute border delays.
Corporate impact: • Agribusiness firms must obtain veterinary movement permits before dispatching goods. • Logistics providers should anticipate delays on the Nicosia–Larnaca corridor and adjust delivery schedules. • Multinational retailers sourcing Cypriot dairy should activate contingency plans in case export certificates are suspended.
Next steps: The agriculture ministry has mobilised additional veterinarians and may cull up to 14,000 animals if new clusters appear. Authorities will review border measures after a 21-day observation window.
