Yes to the Creation of the European Center for exotic animal diseases in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace
The previously inactive Center is being reactivated and upgraded with a Memorandum of Cooperation between the Region, the Ministry of Rural Development and Food (ΥΠΑΑΤ), and ELGO DIMITRA.
The Regional Council of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace unanimously approved the Memorandum of Cooperation for the operation of the European Center for Exotic Animal Diseases. This agreement, which was finalized on Wednesday, February 26, aims to upgrade the existing Exotic Animal Diseases Center into a European Center for Exotic Animal Diseases.
According to the Regional Governor, Mr. Christodoulos Topshidis, both the Region (with €200,000 in funding) and the ΥΠΑΑΤ will contribute resources to the project. Specialized personnel will be hired to conduct studies and research, with results being shared with veterinarians, who will also have the opportunity to participate in research programs.
Reactivation and Upgrading
The Exotic Animal Diseases Center had been decommissioned but is now being reactivated and upgraded at its existing facility in Orestiada. The center will focus on developing and supporting public health protection programs by studying and controlling diseases, zoonoses, and preventing their spread in the wider border area of the Balkans and Türkiye. It will also implement systems for early detection of diseases and outbreaks affecting both production animals and others.
Furthermore, the Center will lead research programs aimed at understanding the impact of climate change on animal health. The center will also pilot integrated production systems adapted to the local environment, promoting biosecurity measures in agricultural processes to support the production of safe raw materials and final products. The Center will also promote organic farming and low-input livestock farming in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace by utilizing the region’s natural resources (e.g., plants with therapeutic properties).
Finally, the Center will focus on studying factors that determine the quality and safety of products such as milk and meat, using local genetic resources, and supporting educational programs for continuous training and knowledge transfer to professionals in the region.
Roles of the Participants
To ensure the successful implementation of these actions, the ΥΠΑΑΤ will provide technical support for the design and implementation of agricultural policies and ensure the proper application of the EU legislation on animal diseases in collaboration with the Ministry’s General Directorate of Veterinary Affairs.
The Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace will initiate the long-term agreement with the ΥΠΑΑΤ and other stakeholders for the use of infrastructure that has been decommissioned and is no longer operational. These facilities will be maintained, upgraded, and protected at the region’s expense, with staffing provided by the Region’s scientific and support personnel.
Lastly, ELGO-DIMITRA will be responsible for the long-term research, scientific, and developmental policies for the Center’s success. ELGO-DIMITRA’s specialized staff will offer essential expertise to optimize the Center's operation and to design its research, educational, and developmental actions.
