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Cyprus Farmers Push For Stricter Controls Amid Aftodi Fever Outbreak

by THEFUTURE.TEAM

February 25, 2026

Cyprus’ livestock sector is rallying for immediate and coordinated action to prevent an escalating outbreak of aftodi fever, a highly contagious disease threatening cattle, sheep, and goat farms throughout the island.

Unified Call For Enhanced Veterinary Measures

Representatives of cattle, sheep, and goat farmers are calling for updated island-wide protocols. Kostas Konstantinou, Vice President of the Goat and Sheep Breeders Group “O Poimenas” and member of the Coordinating Committee of Livestock Groups, said Veterinary Services should introduce revised measures without regional differences to limit further spread of the disease.

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Learning From European Best Practices

Drawing parallels with strict protocols adopted by several European nations, Mr Konstantinou noted that countries that implemented stringent measures managed to contain the outbreak within three months, limiting its spread to a radius of 10-20 kilometres. His message is clear: only with uncompromising actions can further transmission be prevented, thereby safeguarding both animal life and the economic well-being of the livestock sector.

Reinforcing Protocols And Accountability

Nikolaos Papakyriakou, General Director of the Pan-Cypriot Livestock Association, stressed the need for immediate compensation mechanisms for affected farms. He added that Veterinary Services and law enforcement must strictly control human and vehicle access to affected areas. Producers have also received updated guidance aimed at improving early detection and response.

Economy At Risk And A Call For Presidential Intervention

Pan-Cypriot Livestock Association Secretary General Panikos Champas warned that failure to contain the outbreak could significantly impact the national economy, noting that livestock products such as halloumi generate more than €400 million in annual revenue. He also cautioned that large-scale livestock losses could affect employment and called for emergency measures similar to those implemented during the 2007 outbreak.

Maintaining Strict Operational Controls

Industry representatives, including Kyriakos Kailas, President of the Pan-Grocers Association, support immediate containment actions, including targeted disinfection and quarantine measures. Current restrictions already include limits on animal and feed movement, with stakeholders warning that delayed action could worsen the situation.

As Veterinary Services intensify monitoring, livestock groups say consistent enforcement and coordinated action remain essential to preventing wider spread.

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ECB Raises Deposit Facility Rate For First Time In Nearly Two Years

Economic Shift: ECB Reverses Years Of Declining Rates

The European Central Bank (ECB) confirmed its first interest rate increase in nearly two years, raising the deposit facility rate in response to inflationary pressures and geopolitical uncertainty. Marking a shift in monetary policy, the move follows a period of rate cuts aimed at supporting economic activity and easing financing conditions.

Reevaluation Of Bank Liquidity Strategies

Although the immediate impact will be felt by only part of the borrowing market, the decision carries broader implications for banks. During the period of lower rates, banks maintained significant amounts of excess liquidity with the ECB as returns on these funds declined alongside deposit rates. With the deposit facility rate increasing by 0.25 percentage points to 2.25% from 2.00%, returns on surplus liquidity are expected to improve.

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Higher interest rates, however, could also increase borrowing costs and influence lending conditions across the banking sector.

Transitioning Investment Approaches And Market Dynamics

Banks had already begun diversifying the use of excess liquidity through investments in bonds and by expanding lending activities.

Successive reductions in the deposit facility rate from 3.00% at the end of 2024 through four consecutive cuts in early 2025 reflected a more accommodative policy stance as inflation pressures moderated.

Sectoral Impact And Future Outlook

Data from the ECB’s 2025 monetary policy report show that liquidity in the Cypriot banking system declined from €19.2 billion at the end of 2024 to €18.6 billion by the close of 2025. Despite the reduction, liquidity levels remained elevated. Outstanding loans increased from €27.6 billion to €31.7 billion, while deposits recorded a slight decline. Customer deposits continued to account for the vast majority of funding. By the fourth quarter of 2025, they represented 95% of total liabilities, highlighting their importance as the banking sector’s primary source of financing.

Changes in ECB rates are expected to influence how banks manage liquidity and allocate capital as monetary conditions evolve.