Greek Minister Tsiaras tells Parliament: “There is no approved vaccine for sheep and goat pox in the EU”
Speaking before the Hellenic Parliament, Tsiaras submitted into the parliamentary record the written reply of Commissioner Varheli, issued in response to a question by MEP Kostas Arvanitis, regarding the availability of vaccines against the disease.
EU Commissioner: No Authorized Vaccine Currently Available
According to the Commissioner’s response, “at present, there is no approved vaccine against sheep and goat pox in the European Union.” The statement confirms that no vaccine has received EU authorization for use within the Union’s regulatory framework.
Strict Market Restrictions in Case of Vaccination Plans
The Minister emphasized that the same response clarifies the consequences of implementing any vaccination strategy. Should a vaccination plan be applied, products originating from facilities included in such a plan would be subject to strict regulatory measures, as outlined in EU Regulation 361.
These measures include severe restrictions on the marketing of meat and milk from vaccinated animals until it is officially confirmed that no risk remains. As stipulated by the Regulation, this process can only be completed six months after the last recorded case of the disease.
Veterinary Community Warns of Risks
Tsiaras also recalled the position of the Panhellenic Veterinary Association, which has repeatedly highlighted the risks associated with the currently available vaccines. According to the Association:
- Existing vaccines are based on outdated technology
- They are not updated to current scientific standards
- They are exclusively live attenuated vaccines
- Scientific trials have documented potential side effects
These concerns, the Minister noted, underscore the need for caution in any consideration of vaccination measures.
Ongoing Monitoring and EU Coordination
The issue of sheep and goat pox remains a matter of close monitoring for both Greek authorities and EU institutions, given its potential impact on animal health, agricultural production, and intra-EU trade.
