Zeybek calls for support plan for livestock sector in İskeçe

İskeçe (Xanthi) MP Hüseyin Zeybek has called for a comprehensive plan to rebuild livestock herds lost to animal diseases in the region, while raising broader concerns about the challenges facing Greece’s farmers and livestock producers.

Speaking in Parliament during debate on a bill introduced by the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Zeybek highlighted what he described as structural problems affecting the agricultural and livestock sectors.

REBUILDING LIVESTOCK HERDS IN İSKEÇE

Zeybek emphasized the need for an immediate and comprehensive plan to rebuild livestock numbers in İskeçe (Xanthi), which he said has been particularly severely affected by diseases among sheep and goats.

He called for income support for livestock farmers until production can resume, stronger veterinary services and a clearly defined timetable for support measures.

According to Zeybek, the livestock sector is facing a serious crisis because of disease outbreaks, animal culling, income losses and rising feed costs. He argued that delays in government measures had contributed to the difficulties experienced by producers.

CONCERNS OVER AGRICULTURAL SUPPORT PAYMENTS

Zeybek also criticized Article 74, which was added to the bill at the final stage of the parliamentary process.

He argued that the provision could exempt from responsibility not only individuals who allegedly received unjustified financial support between 2018 and 2022 through falsified ownership documents and other irregular methods, but also those who allegedly allowed or approved such payments.

Zeybek described the provision as an “unacceptable political choice.”

He further argued that the bill under discussion does not address producers’ immediate and substantive problems, accusing the government of postponing rather than resolving structural issues in agricultural policy.

RISING COSTS AND OSDE PROBLEMS

The MP pointed to high costs for animal feed, fertilizer, fuel and energy, along with delays in support and compensation payments, problems with the OSDE agricultural declaration system and the spread of animal diseases.

Regarding the 2026 OSDE process, Zeybek said that less than 2% of declarations had been finalized 40 days after applications opened. He also referred to the European Union’s provision allowing advance payments of up to 75% under direct support schemes.

“Why is Greece still waiting while Italy and Poland are using this possibility to make payments to their producers?” Zeybek asked.

CALL FOR ELGA REFORM

Zeybek also criticized the continued delay in reforming ELGA, Greece’s agricultural insurance organization, saying that reform has been under discussion since 2019.

He called for a modern, fair and faster compensation system capable of responding to current conditions and the new risks associated with climate change.

“Producers no longer want promises; they are asking for timely payments, fair compensation, a reliable OSDE system, transparency and real support,” Zeybek said, calling on the government to take responsibility and provide greater certainty for farmers and livestock producers.