An ongoing livestock farmers’ protest at the Rizoelia roundabout in Larnaca continued on Thursday, with Justice Minister Costas Fitiris attending the site as demonstrators blocked key road access.

Farmers initially partially closed the roundabout before extending blockades to both directions of traffic, bringing movement in the area to a halt and prompting police to divert vehicles.

Protesters have said they intend to remain at the location until 2pm, with warnings of further measures if there is no response from the government.

During his presence at the scene, Fitiris spoke directly with demonstrators and called for safety measures to be observed.

“Do your protest but safely. Don’t let people who are not to blame suffer,” he said.

Farmers responded by asking for a government position, saying, “give us an answer then and we’ll stop.”

During a tense exchange between the protesters and the minister, a farmer approached Fitiris and handed over a young child, presumably his son, remarking that “you take him and feed him then, I cannot put food on the table sir”.

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Officers were deployed to prevent escalation and to maintain movement for emergency and official vehicles, with motorists advised to use alternative routes due to congestion.

Further disruption was reported as parts of the group extended closures to additional access points, with claims from protesters that the port of Larnaca was also affected.

Farmers are protesting against culling policies introduced under disease protocol measures for foot-and-mouth disease, arguing that vaccination options under EU regulations should be considered in cases where infections are limited.