The Council of Ministers approved a €1.65 million support scheme providing up to €50 per destroyed piglet for farmers affected by foot-and-mouth disease, capping individual payouts at €250,000 to offer tangible sector relief.

Council of Ministers approved on Wednesday a €1.65 million financial support scheme for pig farmers affected by the impact of foot-and-mouth disease.

Priority Support for Outbreak Relief

In statements after the Cabinet meeting, Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment Maria Panayiotou said supporting farmers has been a government priority since the outbreak of the disease.

Compensation Framework and Payout Caps

She said the scheme provides compensation for the destruction of piglets, based on the number of breeding sows in each pig farming unit. Financial assistance will amount to up to €50 per destroyed piglet, while the maximum amount payable to each pig farmer will be capped at €250,000.

Industry Collaboration and Implementation

Panayiotou noted that the scheme was designed in cooperation with the Cyprus Pig Farmers Association, describing it as a measure that provides tangible support to the sector.

She added that the measure had already been included in the Cabinet's broader package of support measures approved on March 16, 2026, to address the consequences of foot-and-mouth disease, noting that Wednesday's decision approved the detailed implementation framework of the scheme.

Source: CNA (ΚΥΠΕ)