Livestock farmers in Xanthi await government aid amid disease outbreaks
A parliamentary question raised by Hüseyin Zeybek, Member of Parliament from Xanthi representing the New Left party, has brought renewed attention to the plight of livestock breeders who have suffered heavy losses due to recent outbreaks of lumpy skin disease and plague.
In response, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food indicated that financial aid will be limited to partial compensation for income losses, and that no clear payment schedule has been determined. Farmers in quarantine zones are struggling to feed their herds amid rising feed prices and are increasingly frustrated by what they describe as bureaucratic stagnation.
Industry representatives are calling for swift, full, and coordinated compensation plans, especially to protect small-scale operations, warning that rural livestock production may face a serious downturn without immediate intervention.
“Livestock breeders are fighting for survival,” Zeybek emphasized in a public statement.
He criticized the lack of a comprehensive crisis response plan for farmers and breeders during agricultural emergencies, stressing that compensation must be provided without delay and in full.
Zeybek’s key points included:
- Farmers have been waiting months for the promised feed support.
- The Ministry’s response confirms that only a fraction of losses will be covered.
- Sector representatives demand a preemptive and fast payment mechanism during quarantine periods.
- Breeders and agricultural unions are urging the Ministry to work in close coordination with the Ministry of Finance to establish a clear and reliable payment schedule.
- Small-scale farmers are at risk of reducing herd sizes due to unaffordable feed costs.
- Delays in compensation for quarantine-related losses may lead to production gaps in rural areas.
Zeybek concluded with a strong call to action:
“The government must immediately announce a new compensation plan and deliver urgent support to breeders in the region.”
