Ahead of the annual slaughter of thousands of lambs for traditional Easter Sunday meals, authorities are stepping up policing of measures to contain a highly contagious livestock disease that’s decimated herds in much of the country, officials said Wednesday.
The Rural Development Ministry said special restrictions apply to areas affected by the sheep and goat pox epidemic that’s forced the culling of nearly half a million animals since August 2024.
“Targeted and concerted checks are being intensified at key points of the road network, making use of information and in close cooperation with local veterinary services, the Hellenic Police and Coast Guard,” a ministry statement said. “Our main priority is to prevent any further spread of the cases.”
Since February 1, 56 people have been arrested for breaches of regulations.
The ministry said that any movement of livestock in afflicted areas is banned, including flocks being taken outdoors to graze, while animals can only be taken for slaughter following special dispensation after being tested for the disease – which does not affect humans.
The government has ruled out vaccinations to address the problem – which is threatening Greece’s important feta cheese exports – arguing that there are no European Union-approved vaccines available. Officials say allowing vaccination would also lead to the disease being recorded as endemic to Greece, triggering restrictions on dairy exports.
Farmers have appealed for vaccinations to be allowed, citing recommendations from the EU.
The ministry said a total 2,147 cases have been recorded so far since August 2024, with the disease recently spreading to Preveza and Evritania in the west and the Ionian Sea island of Ithaca.
At the same time, an outbreak of foot-and-mouth – another highly contagious livestock disease that does not affect humans – on Lesvos has added to livestock breeders’ tribulations.
The ministry said a total 25 cases have been confirmed since mid-March, when Greece’s first outbreak of the disease in a quarter-century was recorded in northern Lesvos.