For now, Cypriot authorities and cheesemakers say that Halloumi exports do not appear to be affected — if the spread of foot-and-mouth disease is contained. The virus carries no risk to the safety of the cheese.
What is causing concern is the number of animal culls, according to Michalis Koullouros, representative of the Cypriot Cheesemakers Association. “If a large number of animals are culled, we will lose the milk, and Halloumi production will inevitably be affected,” he said.
Foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) affects cloven-hoofed animals, including cattle, sheep, pigs and goats. It causes blister-like lesions to appear on the mouth and feet. Although it poses no threat to humans, it can have devastating consequences for cattle, sheep and pig populations, resulting in significant economic losses. The U.K. farming industry was devastated by an outbreak of the disease in 2001, with over 2,000 farms affected and more than six million animals slaughtered.
The first case on the island appeared in the Turkish north on Dec. 16, and Cypriot authorities believe it jumped to northern Cyprus from neighboring Turkey. The disease appeared in the Republic of Cyprus on Feb. 20 and, since then, it has affected around 5.5 percent of the livestock population.
Vaccinate vs. cull
With the disjointed approach, Cypriot farmers expect that number to grow.
Cyprus has been divided into a Turkish Cypriot north and a Greek Cypriot south since Turkish forces invaded in 1974 in response to a coup backed by Greece. Ankara does not recognize the Republic of Cyprus, which is an EU member country recognized internationally as the sole sovereign authority over the whole island. The Turkish Cypriot north is recognized only by Ankara.