Greece has implemented a nationwide ban on the movement of sheep and goats following an outbreak of sheeppox, the government announced on Tuesday. The measure comes after veterinarians and stockbreeders failed to improve health checks and hygiene measures to contain the disease.
The outbreak has already led to the culling of approximately 2% of the country's sheep and goat population, according to data from the Greek agriculture ministry. More than 260,000 animals have been culled and over 1,100 farms shut down after authorities detected over 2,400 cases of the highly contagious disease in the 12 months to August.
Sheeppox does not spread to humans, but it threatens to increase meat prices for Greeks already facing a cost-of-living crisis and could damage exports of feta cheese, which relies on sheep and goat milk. A 10-day plan announced on Monday called for stricter biosecurity measures, more veterinary inspections, and disinfection points to control flock movement.
Deputy Agriculture Minister Christos Kellas told public broadcaster ERT that the next 10 days will be decisive to avoid a blanket ban. 'This would mean a freeze on trade. They will not deliver milk, they will not deliver meat, there will be no slaughters across the country,' he said.
