Hundreds of thousands of sheep and goats are being culled in Greece due to an outbreak of sheep and goat pox. This disease not only threatens the livelihoods of farmers but could also impact the production of Greece’s famous feta cheese.
Anastasia Siourtou runs a farm near Karditsa, where 650 sheep were raised. After the disease was detected on her farm, all her livestock had to be culled. She suspects that another nearby farm, which concealed its pox cases, might have spread the infection to her herd. As a veterinarian, the loss weighs heavily on her. “I felt that I failed to protect them,” she reflects, expressing the emotional toll this experience has taken.
Since the first cases appeared in August 2024, the situation has escalated. By mid-November, the Greek Ministry of Rural Development reported over 1,700 incidents, leading to the culling of approximately 417,000 animals—about 4-5% of the total population. This outbreak not only poses a threat to farmers but also raises concerns about feta cheese supply, as 80% of the country’s sheep and goat milk goes into making this protected product.
Feta cheese exports are vital for Greece, generating around €785 million in revenue last year. Farmers like Tassos Manakas recount their struggles as their herds are wiped out. “The day they were culled, I… wouldn’t bleed,” he mournfully states, highlighting the emotionally devastating reality for many.
Experts are calling for more effective responses. Prof. Dimitris Gougoulis from the University of Thessaly stresses the urgent need for improved biosecurity measures. He warns that without a robust action plan, sheep and goat pox could become an endemic issue, adding further restrictions on exports.
Some farmers are advocating for vaccination programs, pointing to successful efforts in countries like Bulgaria and Turkey. However, the Greek government hesitates, fearing that mass vaccination would classify the country as endemic for the disease, jeopardizing feta exports. Critics feel that the government’s response has been slow and inadequate. The National Scientific Committee for the Management and Control of Sheep and Goat Pox was only established in late October 2025, long after the first outbreak.
Recent gatherings among farmers revealed frustrations over illegal transport and hidden cases, complicating control efforts. While some farmers have turned to alternative livestock like calves, the emotional and financial impacts of the outbreak are deep.
In conclusion, the battle against sheep and goat pox in Greece is more than an agricultural crisis; it’s a personal one for many farmers. They navigate not just the devastation of losing their animals but also the threat of diminished livelihoods, underscoring the urgent need for effective policy and community support.
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