Cyprus Government to apply to EU for national outlay to support farmers

The Council of Ministers decided Wednesday to apply to the European Union in order to proceed with a national outlay, to support farmers who suffer from the consequences of the severe drought that has hit Cyprus.

Speaking to the press after today’s Cabinet meeting, Government Spokesman Stephanos Stephanou said that the national outlay would reach 67,5 million euro.

He added that the Ministry of Agriculture, Natural Resources and the Environment would decide on how to allocate this amount, based on previous experience.

Meanwhile, the Pancyprian Organisation of Cattle Farmers held talks Wednesday with the Ministry of Agriculture to discuss state support due to the consequences of the drought on their income.

Negotiations between the Ministry and the Organisation did not lead to an agreement and as a result, cattle farmers announced a series of protest measures, until their demand for a government grant of 17 million euro is met.

The Cypriot cattle farmers gathered in the morning outside the Presidential Palace to protest against the loss of income due to the drought.