Farmers plan Athens rally on February 13–14 over livestock crisis
Greek farmers have announced plans to bring tractors and buses to Athens on February 13 or 14 in a major escalation of ongoing protests, following a national meeting in Thessaly on Wednesday. The assembly, the seventh since the current wave of unrest began in fall 2025, authorized the demonstration, which organizers say could last 48 hours to pressure the government over rising costs and a worsening livestock crisis.
Farmers’ grievances focus on the government’s handling of a sheep pox epidemic that has hit Greek livestock since August 2025, resulting in 2,084 outbreaks and the culling of over 475,000 animals. While new cases have temporarily slowed, experts warn a resurgence is possible in summer.
Protesters and local officials have criticized delays by the Ministry of Rural Development, with military veterinarians only starting farm inspections this week. Emergency hires and payments to private veterinarians were recently announced to aid monitoring.
Ministry secretary general Spiros Protopsaltis urged farmers to follow biosecurity protocols, calling the next three months “critical,” but regional veterinary sources expressed skepticism, warning that fatigue and noncompliance could hinder disease control.
Photo: TRT-2024
