Von der Leyen: No EU Compensation Paid to Turkish Cypriot Farmers for FMD

Von der Leyen made the statement in a letter responding to a question from Greek Cypriot MEP Michalis Hadjipantela, who had raised complaints from livestock farmers in the south that compensating farmers in the north under the same terms would constitute “negative discrimination”.

Von der Leyen said she was aware of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Cyprus and stressed that all necessary measures in line with EU animal-health legislation must be implemented across the island to prevent and eradicate the disease.

She clarified that no compensation for foot-and-mouth disease had been paid from the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) budget, adding that Turkish Cypriot livestock farmers had not received such payments either.

Von der Leyen noted that CAP payments for Cyprus are administered by the Greek Cypriot Agriculture Ministry under the CAP Strategic Plan covering the 2023-2027 period.

She said any EU payments would only be available to areas controlled by the Republic of Cyprus that implement the measures required by Brussels to eradicate foot-and-mouth disease.

Von der Leyen also said the Commission remained in contact with the Greek Cypriot government and welcomed cooperation between the two communities, including through the veterinary subcommittee of the Technical Committee on Health.

She added that the Commission would continue supporting measures aimed at ensuring the disease is eradicated across Cyprus as soon as possible.