Relief on Lesvos as foot-and-mouth disease appears contained
Authorities in Lesvos report signs that the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease is under control, reducing concerns over the impact on the island’s livestock and wider Greek production. Minister of Rural Development and Food Kostas Tsiaras emphasized that restricting the disease’s spread is the top priority and affirmed that “any loss will be refunded,” by order of Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
The outbreak began on March 16, triggering a temporary ban on all animal products, including milk widely exported across Greece. Two additional outbreaks were confirmed on Sunday in northeastern Lesvos, affecting nearly 700 sheep and 25 cattle; the animals are scheduled for culling under current health protocols. Tests in a 10-km radius around the affected farms returned negative results, signaling containment.
Local producers expressed relief after a week of uncertainty. Manolis Konstantidellis, head of the Mesotopos Lesvou Cooperative, and Deputy Mayor Charalambos Deredinis noted that milk production and local livestock businesses could gradually return to normal. Deredinis highlighted financial pressures, including unpaid feed purchases and uncertainty over milk disposal, but said recent decisions provide hope for a “better future.”
Meanwhile, on Crete, preventative measures against sheep pox continue. Sixteen disinfection stations have been set up across Heraklion, Chania, Rethymno, and Lassithi, allowing livestock vehicles to be disinfected Monday through Friday from 07:00 to 14:00. The measures aim to prevent the spread of the disease from mainland Greece and protect local livestock production.
