Government’s determination to support the livestock world and to effectively cope with zoonoses, without being led to lockdownsaid the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Costas Tsiarasin interviews with Real FM on Action 24.
Specifically, Kostas Tsiaras said that “we want to avoid Lockdown. If we move on to Lockdown, there will be serious consequences for Greek livestock farming and agriculture. ” He also underlined that the harvest of corn, a basic product for the production of feed is currently underway, and that any disturbance of this chain would cause enormous difficulties throughout the agri -food economy.
At the same time, Kostas Tsiaras made extensive reference to the course of the plague and the smallpox from the summer of 2024 to the present, pointing out their main differences: “The plague virus lives up to 21 days, which enabled us to apply limited and time measures. On the contrary, smallpox virus can survive up to six months, in natural carriers such as animal wool or feed. This means that treatment cannot be done in the same way. “
The minister underlined that crisis management is based on the Rules of Procedure of the European Union (687/2020) and said that “the ministry gives clear instructions – we have sent repeated documents and letters to all regions. DAOKs are responsible for implementing the measures. And, of course, the farmers themselves must understand that they cannot endanger their livestock by neglecting the bio -security measures. “
Concerning compensation, Costas Tsiaras stressed that the government has stood by farmers with substantial financial support. “We have given compensation higher than any other European country for the killed animals. We also proceeded to cover the cost of feed. We have found all the tools that will give breeders the opportunity to stand up and ensure their survival, “he said.
At the same time, he recalled yesterday’s decision – at a meeting with the Regional Governors – for a ten -day “raid” with the mobilization of all the Veterinary Services of the Ministry. “We will find ourselves in every area with the veterinarians of the Ministry and the supervised bodies. Our goal is to strengthen bio -security measures by creating additional signs of disinfection, so as to substantially limit the risk of further dissemination of the disease, “the minister said.
Asked about vaccination, Costas Tsiaras repeated that there is no scientific documentation at the time of the effectiveness of vaccines. “Available formulations come from third countries, no European country has applied vaccination, and clinical studies show that immunity reaches only 60% of vaccine animals. If we went into such an uncertain choice, we would even endanger our exports – and most importantly the most important product of our livestock, the feta, “the minister noted.
Finally, the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Costas Tsiaras, also referred extensively to OPEKEPE, stressing that “the organization is now operating with transparency and justice rules, as it is appropriate for every government and in the Greek state”. As he pointed out, “the previous system with historical rights and virtual pastures had created distortions, which allowed some to receive aid without having real livestock.” He pointed out that in the last year there have been “many steps” of resolution, through an action plan in cooperation with the European Commission, new controls on ecological payments and decision to re -examine all cases where “numbers had nothing to do with reality”.