To more than EUR 350 million Calculated losses from blessing in sheepAnd the goats, which for 14 months has led to the decay of herds across the country, now threatening the survival of thousands of breeders. This is pointed out, speaking to RES-EIA, by the President of the Hellenic Livestock Association (SEK) Dimitris Moschos, stressing that animal capital is shrinking dangerously.
According to him, already more than 300,000 animals have been lost Only from the smallpox, and, in combination with the losses of other zoos, the future of the industry seems ominous. “Greek livestock farming is on alert. Delays in making critical decisions may lead to losses that will no longer be reversible. Breeders are calling for action now, before it’s too late, “he emphasizes emphatically.
At 410,000 loser animals from zoonoses
“Livestock is no longer at a crucial crossroads. It has already begun to collapse and the collapse is accelerating, “he says, noting that the industry in recent years has been accepting multiple blows and” the crisis does not seem to have an end. “
As he explains, in addition to the smallpox, Greek livestock farming is also under pressure from other zoos: 80,000 animals were lost in the summer of 2024 by the plague of small ruminants, while another 30,000 losses are due to the catarrin fever, which, as the president says.
Indeed, especially for the catarrchic fever, he says that “breeders are vaccinated alone to protect their flocks,” he notes, arguing that “no one comes to help us.”
According to SEK data, real animal capital is currently estimated at six million, while the Ministry of Rural Development and Food (YPAT) estimates it between seven and eight million.
Where the new cases are located
Thrace and Thessaly remain the biggest “victims” of smallpox, but according to Mr Moscow, the situation is also deteriorating in Western Greece, with Achaia now in serious danger.
At the same time, new cases are recorded in Serres, Katerini, Imathia and Thessaloniki, while scattered outbreaks are found throughout the country, with the competent authorities making efforts to reduce the spread.
Vaccination divides: the industry asks for solutions
For Greek breeders, as Mr Moschos says in RES-EIA, the solution is one: the vaccination of animal capital. However, he argues, the responsible ministry refuses to proceed, citing a possible impact on feta exports, which are valued at € 78 million. The president of the SEK stresses, however, that the European Union has already made it clear that it is not a matter of public health, as long as the products are pasteurized. “The entire primary sector for feta exports cannot be at risk. The EU It has already made it clear that pasteurized products can be released freely, ”Mr Moscow said.
Brussels Intervention: ‘Consider vaccination seriously’
In the meantime, according to the President of the SEK in July, the European Commission has sent a formal warning to the Greek government, stating that the measures implemented do not attribute and calling on the country to tighten control procedures and to seriously examine universal vaccination.
According to Mr Moscow, the European Animal Health and Welling Committee has already 500,000 vaccine doses available and on 9 September this year, it has announced a new tender for the supply of additional 4 million installments to meet the needs of the Member States.
The message of the SEK is clear, and as the president of the carrier tells us, “Immediate political decisions, realistic measures and courage are needed, otherwise Greek livestock farming is in danger of never recovering from the shock of recent years.”
“Animalpox is not transmitted to humans”
No threat to public health is the blessing that affects the sheep and goats, the Professor of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases of the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki (Aristotle University of Thessaloniki) had assured a recent report by RES-EIA.
“The virus does not affect human, nor does it remain in the milk or meat of sick animals,” he had emphatically pointed out, clarifying that the “receptors” of the human body do not “match” the virus, so there is no way to infect man. Popper is a particularly contagious but exclusively animal disease, with serious economic effects on livestock farming, but not on public health, he notes.