Hüseyin Zeybek urges government to support livestock farmers in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

Western Thrace
Wed, 5 Feb 2025 8:50 GMT
İskeçe MP highlights devastating impact of smallpox and plague outbreaks on local farmers
Hüseyin Zeybek urges government to support livestock farmers in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace

Hüseyin Zeybek, MP for  İskeçe and Agriculture Representative of the New Left Party, has called on the Greek government to take immediate action in response to the severe crisis affecting livestock farmers in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. In a parliamentary question submitted on February 3, 2025, Zeybek emphasized the devastating losses caused by smallpox and plague outbreaks, with more than 70,000 animals culled and local farmers struggling to recover.

Limited Compensation and Unmet Promises
During his speech, Zeybek criticized the government’s failure to address farmers’ demands. He pointed out that in İskeçe alone, 16,000 animals were culled, yet only 13 farms received compensation, while 62 businesses were forced to shut down. He also stressed that livestock farmers in the lowland areas of Ihanlı Municipality and Samothrace Island, where 40% of the population depends on livestock farming, are in dire conditions.

Moreover, quarantined areas have been abandoned, leaving small farmers unable to transport livestock to slaughterhouses, leading to severe income losses. Zeybek also noted that feed producers in the Evros region are struggling, with tons of alfalfa hay stockpiled and unsold due to the ongoing crisis.

Calls for Government Action
The MP urged the government to take concrete measures, emphasizing that the Animal Disease Center in Evros remains non-functional due to staff and equipment shortages. He demanded immediate action regarding the long-delayed implementation of Measure 5.2, which aims to restore livestock populations but has so far remained an unfulfilled promise.

Zeybek outlined key demands from local livestock associations, urging the Ministry of Agriculture to adopt the following measures:

  • Postponement of EFKA social security contributions during herd restoration.
  • Suspension of all public debts and payment plans for livestock farmers for three years.
  • State-backed, interest-free loans with a three-year grace period for private supplier debts.

Direct Questions to the Deputy Minister of Agriculture
Zeybek posed five critical questions to the government, demanding transparency on compensation payments, upcoming policies, and the government’s strategy for handling livestock diseases:

  1. How much compensation has been paid so far? Are there any pending payments by region?
  2. Has the Joint Ministerial Decision (KYA) for the third compensation payment in 2025 been signed?
  3. What measures will be taken to support farmers affected by smallpox?
  4. Will they receive compensation, and if so, when and for how long?
  5. What is the implementation timeline for Measure 5.2, and what are the participation requirements?
  6. Why is the Evros Animal Disease Center still non-functional?
  7. When will the cooperation protocol between ELGO DIMITRA and the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace be signed?
  8. How does the government plan to support farmers, feed suppliers, slaughterhouses, traders, and all businesses in the livestock sector?

Government's Response Under Scrutiny
At the end of his speech, Zeybek criticized the Deputy Minister of Agriculture’s vague and superficial responses, describing them as mere statements of intent rather than concrete actions. He reaffirmed his party’s commitment to holding the government accountable, emphasizing that the Ministry must adopt the proposals submitted by livestock associations in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace to prevent further economic collapse in the region.

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