Greece forms livestock pox surveillance committee with farmers' participation amid rising outbreaks
In response to the escalating crisis caused by the outbreak of livestock pox (sheep and goat pox), the Greek Minister of Rural Development and Food, Kostas Tsiaras, has announced the formation of a Special Surveillance Committee. The committee aims to oversee the implementation of containment measures and will include not only ministry officials and experts, but also representatives of livestock farmers.
42 New Outbreaks – Including in Xanthi
On July 14, 2025, the Ministry’s General Directorate of Veterinary Services reported 42 new outbreaks, resulting in the culling of 13,831 animals. Affected regions include:
Larissa (18 outbreaks)
Magnesia (7 outbreaks)
İskeçe (9 outbreaks)
Fokida (5 outbreaks)
Rhodope, Aetolia-Acarnania, and Florina (1 outbreak each)
According to official data, 605 farms across Greece have been affected since the beginning of the outbreak, leading to the mass culling of 140,777 animals. The European Commission has reportedly expressed concern over the continued failure to contain the disease for over a year.
Purpose and Composition of the Surveillance Committee
The newly established Surveillance and Monitoring Committee will operate alongside the Ministry’s existing Expert Committee and will be tasked with ensuring proper implementation of EU Regulation 687/2020.
Members will include:
Ministry officials
Veterinary experts
Representatives of the Hellenic Livestock Association (SEK)
Members from interprofessional bodies for meat and feta
Academic community members
Representatives of regional authorities
The Panhellenic Veterinary Association
Minister Tsiaras: “A Framework of Safety for Greek Livestock Farming”
Minister Tsiaras emphasized the need for urgent, coordinated action:
“We must safeguard the country’s livestock by limiting the spread of the disease. This committee will oversee the measures we adopt, ensuring the active participation of farmers and scientists. Our goal is to create a new safety framework for Greek livestock farming.”
He also discussed broader challenges and development plans for the livestock sector, stating that “keeping Greek animal farming alive and strong is a national priority.”
Livestock Association President: “We’re Facing a Major Crisis”
SEK President Dimitris Moschos described the disease as a serious threat to sheep and goat farming, warning of major losses if the spread continues unchecked:
“We’ve had an open, honest discussion with the Minister. The spread of pox threatens not just farmers, but also emblematic products like feta. Without sufficient staff, any measure we take will be superficial. The Ministry of the Interior must step in immediately.”
Moschos also suggested that livestock farmers might seek a meeting with the Interior Ministry to address staffing shortages and other pressing issues.
The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food, Christos Kellas, and senior SEK members including Vice Presidents Giorgos Diddangelos (pig farming) and Giorgos Vaiopoulos (sheep farming).
