Livestock Farmers Block Roads at Rizoelia in Protest

Kilometer-long queues formed on Thursday evening at the Rizoelia roundabout as livestock farmers blocked the area in protest against the culling of animals due to foot-and-mouth disease. The decision was made after an unsuccessful meeting with Minister of Agriculture Maria Panagiotou in Nicosia.

The farmers stated they will spend the night at Rizoelia and have no intention of opening the roads. Traffic police have increased their presence in the area and are trying to manage the situation.

Traffic diversions are in place from Nicosia to Larnaca via the Athienou-Koshi exit, with heavy traffic reported on the Athienou-Avdellero road. An alternative route from Larnaca to Nicosia is available via a side road of the Rizoelia roundabout in the Aradippou area towards Koshi. Those heading from free Famagusta to Larnaca, Nicosia, or the Airport are being diverted from the Avdellero exit.

The farmers demand an end to the culling of animals that are not positive for foot-and-mouth disease and threaten to escalate measures, including blocking the airport. On Thursday, they also blocked the port of Larnaca for several hours.

The Director-General of the Ministry of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment, Andreas Grigoriou, stated that the protests increase the risk of spreading the virus and undermine efforts to contain the disease, calling on protesters to end the gatherings.