Mitsotakis declares two-month “battle” against sheep and goat pox: “No plan B”
The statement came after a high-level meeting at the Maximos Mansion on Tuesday (February 10, 2026) with representatives of major livestock associations. Farmers, however, left the meeting expressing skepticism and concern about a possible resurgence of the disease after Easter.
Government Sets Easter Deadline for Eradication
Speaking during the meeting, Mitsotakis emphasized that the immediate priority is the complete eradication of sheep and goat pox, a disease that has severely impacted Greece’s livestock sector.
“We have two months until Easter to achieve this goal. According to the Ministry, cases are already extremely low, and we must insist on this direction. We need your full cooperation to reach this national objective for the protection of Greek livestock farming,” the Prime Minister said.
He outlined a framework of measures aimed at containing the outbreak, including:
- Strict adherence to biosecurity protocols
- Intensified policing of illegal animal movements
- Crackdown on illegal vaccinations
- Coordinated enforcement across regions
“All together we will achieve this goal. From the government’s side, there is no other plan — there is no Plan B,” Mitsotakis stressed, adding that debate over vaccination strategies may be “misleading” at this stage, as biosecurity compliance remains critical.
Livestock Sector Demands Flexibility and Contingency Planning
Despite the government’s firm stance, livestock representatives left the meeting cautious.
Panos Satolias, President of the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives (ETHÉAS), called for an immediate contingency plan.
“If eradication does not happen within the timeframe set by the state, there must be a Plan B,” he warned, adding that conditions could worsen after Easter due to seasonal changes.
Dimitris Moschos, President of the Hellenic Livestock Association (SEK), said no new measures were presented during the meeting.
“Vaccination appears to be a red line for the Ministry. We warned about what may happen in two months when weather conditions change and the disease may flare up again,” he said.
Moschos added that “a significant number of animals currently being saved are due to covert vaccinations and low temperatures.”
Meanwhile, a representative from the Livestock Association of Kato Nevrokopi accused authorities of unfairly blaming farmers for the disease’s spread.
“We are at war until our demands are justified,” he stated.
Livestock Reconstruction and Market Competitiveness
The meeting also addressed the reconstruction of livestock herds, with Mitsotakis describing a vision for “a new era of livestock farming” focused on certified, high-quality products capable of commanding competitive prices internationally.
The Prime Minister also referenced milk pricing issues and illegal “Greek labeling” practices (mislabeling imported products as domestic), emphasizing that Greece “can and must be globally competitive” in livestock production.
Financial Support Through De Minimis Aid
Minister of Rural Development Kostas Tsiaras acknowledged that sheep and goat pox represents a “serious and complex issue” that requires persistence, coordination, and enhanced biosecurity measures.
Regarding additional financial relief through EU de minimis state aid mechanisms, Tsiaras noted:
“Last year, the majority of de minimis funding was allocated to feed compensation. The government’s intention is clear: to strengthen and support the livestock sector, especially during this difficult period.”
He added that the Prime Minister has instructed the Ministry to exhaust all available funding avenues — whether through de minimis or other compensation mechanisms — to support livestock farmers, particularly concerning feed costs.
