New financial aid for livestock farmers affected by animal diseases was announced from the floor of the Parliament by the Deputy Minister Agricultural Development and Food Athanasios Kavvadas.
The Deputy Minister announced that the Ministry of Rural Development and Food has signed a new decision on the allocation of compensation for animals culled as part of measures to combat animal diseases, with a significant portion of the funds directed to Thessaly.
“The Ministry of Rural Development and Food signed a decision yesterday regarding a new allocation of compensation for animals culled due to animal diseases, totaling 671,651 euros, covering the period of cullings from April 30, 2026, to the present.
Specifically, for the Region of Thessaly the amount is 238,766 euros”.
Mr. Kavvadas emphasized that the government is closely monitoring developments in the primary sector and intervenes immediately, where necessary, to ensure the sustainability of livestock farms that have faced repeated setbacks in recent years.
Referring to the overall situation of Greek livestock farming, he noted that the country continues to wage a difficult battle against animal diseases, which directly affect production, livestock farmers’ income, and the rural areas’ development prospects.
“The government, together with producers, is fighting a tough battle to save Greek livestock farming, a struggle that began here in 2023 with the natural disasters ELIAS and DANIEL. From 2024 to the present, 550,000 animals have been culled. “Through strict surveillance and restrictive measures, along with biosecurity protocols, we aim to eradicate these diseases,” he stated.
According to a related announcement, the Deputy Minister emphasized that animal diseases are not only a problem for producers, but pose a broader threat to public health, food security, and economic activity. For this reason, as he noted, strict biosecurity protocols and restrictive measures are being implemented, with the aim of protecting livestock and preventing the further spread of diseases.
At the same time, Mr. Kavvadas clarified that the State treats natural disasters and animal epidemics differently, as these are distinct situations governed by different institutional frameworks.
In this context, he recalled that, following the natural disasters Daniel and Elias, an extensive support program was implemented for affected producers.
Through ELGA, compensation exceeding 20 million euros was paid, while subsidies per animal were set at levels significantly higher than those provided for in the Organization’s regulation, for example, for sheep and goats, compensation rose from €86 per animal to €150 under a statutory provision.
Furthermore, through a special legislative provision the age limits for livestock compensation were extended to cover more farmers affected by the disasters.
Concluding his remarks, the Deputy Minister reiterated that support for the primary sector is a constant priority for the government, noting that the Ministry of Rural Development and Food will continue to evaluate the data and proceed with targeted interventions to ensure the continuity of production and the sustainability of Greek livestock farming.
In addition, compensation totaling 7.4 million euros has already been paid to livestock farmers in Magnesia affected by sheep and goat pox, while support measures continue to be implemented and additional interventions are being considered to address the consequences of the outbreak.
This was emphasized by the Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food and Member of Parliament for Lefkada, Athanasios Kavvadas, in response to a topical question in Parliament from New Democracy MP for Magnesia, Christos Boukoros, presented detailed data on the progression of the disease, the compensation that has been paid, and the support options available to affected livestock farmers.
As noted in a related announcement, Mr. Kavvadas emphasized that Magnesia was one of the hardest-hit regions in the country by sheep and goat pox.
“From October 2024 to the present, we had 140 cases and approximately 195 farms with 38,784 animals culled, meaning Magnesia experienced one of the largest outbreaks of the disease,”, he noted.
Despite the improvement in the epidemiological situation at the national level, the Deputy Minister emphasized that the battle against epizootics is not over and that all relevant agencies remain on high alert.
As he stated, strict surveillance, the implementation of biosecurity protocols, and close cooperation between the ministry, regions, and municipalities, with the aim of completely eradicating the disease and protecting livestock.
Referring to the restocking of livestock, he clarified that the ban remains in effect, as long as the restrictions imposed by the European Commission remain in place; the Commission continuously evaluates epidemiological data and decides whether to lift or extend the measures.
He placed particular emphasis on the financial support measures that have already been implemented for the affected producers in Magnesia.
Specifically, compensation totaling 2,845,499 euros has been paid for the animals that died, while for loss of income, aid amounts to €2,280,390 for 187 beneficiaries.
At the same time, an additional €2,277,000 has been granted to 615 beneficiaries to cover the increased cost of animal feed resulting from the restrictive measures and the mandatory confinement of animals on farms.
The Deputy Minister also referred to the young farmers’ program, noting that in Magnesia a total of 160 applications were submitted, of which 18 concern sheep and goat farms.
In his second speech, he placed particular emphasis on the issue of force majeure for young farmers affected by animal diseases. As he explained, the European framework does not allow for blanket exemptions, but provides for the possibility of an individualized review of each case.
According to the data he presented, for 2024, 508 applications for recognition of force majeure due to locusts or plague were submitted nationwide, of which 468 were approved in full or in part.
Mr. Kavvadas urged affected beneficiaries to take advantage of this process, emphasizing that every application will be reviewed with objectivity and fairness.
“I therefore call on beneficiaries to submit their applications, and once they do, I can assure you of two things: First, that every application will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, thoroughly examined, and judged fairly; and second, that the administration always examines applications for coverage under the force majeure provisions —and the mandatory culling of livestock by order of the administration constitutes force majeure.”
The Deputy Minister reiterated that support for Greek livestock farming is a constant priority for the government, with the aim of maintaining productive activity, protecting farmers’ incomes, and shielding the primary sector from the challenges posed by animal diseases.
