Cyprus’ Veterinary Services launched a dedicated online system on 23 June that replaces paper permits and tracks the movement of people, animals and agricultural products in zones affected by the island’s ongoing foot-and-mouth-disease (FMD) outbreak. The ‘FMD Management Platform’, developed with the University of Cyprus’ KIOS Centre of Excellence, allows farmers, veterinarians and transporters to apply electronically for exit or transit authorisations, which are then cross-checked in real time at road checkpoints. The outbreak, first detected in February, led authorities to impose strict quarantine zones across parts of Larnaca, Nicosia and Limassol. Until now, farmers queued for hours at district offices to obtain physical passes, creating bottlenecks and compliance gaps.
![Digital platform introduced to control movement permits during Cyprus’ foot-and-mouth outbreak]()
For international veterinarians, agritech specialists and logistics managers who may need to travel to Cyprus to assist with containment measures, having the correct travel documents ready is crucial. VisaHQ can streamline the process: via its Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/), the service provides up-to-date visa requirements, online applications and expert guidance, ensuring that professionals reach the affected zones without administrative delays.
By digitising the workflow—and geocoding permits to an interactive map of surveillance and protection zones—the new platform is expected to cut processing time from 48 hours to under six. Although aimed at livestock bio-security, the tool also enhances human-mobility management: breeders and vets moving between holdings are logged, allowing rapid contact-tracing if the virus jumps zones. The Ministry of Agriculture said the model could be adapted for future zoonotic emergencies and for the transport of high-risk foodstuffs under EU Animal Health Law. The launch follows a bilateral working-group meeting with Greece last week, where Athens requested access to Cyprus’ vaccination-tracking data. Officials hinted that the platform might be integrated into the EU’s TRACES system, which would streamline cross-border certificates when live-animal exports resume. For companies running expatriate-staff farms or supplying feed, the message is clear: ensure drivers and veterinarians register on the portal before moving between controlled areas. Non-compliance now triggers automated alerts to district police and fines of up to €5,000.
For international veterinarians, agritech specialists and logistics managers who may need to travel to Cyprus to assist with containment measures, having the correct travel documents ready is crucial. VisaHQ can streamline the process: via its Cyprus portal (https://www.visahq.com/cyprus/), the service provides up-to-date visa requirements, online applications and expert guidance, ensuring that professionals reach the affected zones without administrative delays.
By digitising the workflow—and geocoding permits to an interactive map of surveillance and protection zones—the new platform is expected to cut processing time from 48 hours to under six. Although aimed at livestock bio-security, the tool also enhances human-mobility management: breeders and vets moving between holdings are logged, allowing rapid contact-tracing if the virus jumps zones. The Ministry of Agriculture said the model could be adapted for future zoonotic emergencies and for the transport of high-risk foodstuffs under EU Animal Health Law. The launch follows a bilateral working-group meeting with Greece last week, where Athens requested access to Cyprus’ vaccination-tracking data. Officials hinted that the platform might be integrated into the EU’s TRACES system, which would streamline cross-border certificates when live-animal exports resume. For companies running expatriate-staff farms or supplying feed, the message is clear: ensure drivers and veterinarians register on the portal before moving between controlled areas. Non-compliance now triggers automated alerts to district police and fines of up to €5,000.
