Athanasios Kavvadas has committed to deposit compensation and the aid to farms in the region that have been affected by diseases.
The government’s will to continue to support livestock farmers affected by the zoonotic diseases, with an emphasis on the regions of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace, the Deputy Minister Rural Development and Food, Athanasios Kavvadas, responding to the plenary session of the House of Representatives to a topical question of the MP for Rodopi of PASOK – Movement for Change, Ilkhan Ahmet, on the compensation, farmers and the support of cheese production units in the region.
The Deputy Minister pointed out that the government and the Ministry of Rural Development and Food are jointly facing a complex crisis with producers, aiming both to protect the income of livestock farmers and to safeguard the health of livestock. “The government’s message to all these people is that we are on the same side,” he said.
Kavvadas said that aid to the livestock sector is more than double what it was in the past, noting that in 2025 a total of 187 million euro was allocated to the livestock sector. euros, while a few days ago a further 22.7 million was paid out, relating to the first quarter of 2026. This brings the total amount of aid to around 210 million.
In particular, 97 million euros have been allocated nationwide for killed animals alone. EUR 97 million, of which more than EUR 23,5 million was directed to the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace.
Of these: €10.17 million for Xanthi, €8.31 million for Rodopi, €3.03 million for Evros, €1.92 million for Kavala and €114,576 for Drama.
Mr Kavvadas underlined that Greece has allocated the highest compensation per animal in the European Union, while 100% of the costs of the procedure is covered.
Referring to the restrictive measures applied due to zoonoses, Mr Kavadas noted that the confinement of sheep and goats has significantly increased production costs, as the farms depend exclusively on purchased feed. For this reason, a special programme to support the purchase of feed, totalling €70 million, was activated through initial and additional financing. At the same time, he said that a circular had already been issued allowing, under certain conditions, the movement of sheep and goats to summer pastures.
The State Minister for Rural Development and Food also referred to the aid for loss of income due to the impossibility of restocking, noting that an additional 28.5 million was made available to the Secretary of State for Rural Development and Food. EUR 28 million, of which more than EUR 9 million is for the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace. He also recalled that the tax and insurance obligations of the affected farmers, as well as the municipal fees, have been suspended until 31 December 2026.
In his second speech, Mr. Kavadas referred to the request for financial support for farming units in the region, specifying that, in accordance with the European regulatory framework, in the case of sheep and goat pox, no ban on the movement of milk and milk products is provided for, provided that the hygiene and heat treatment rules are complied with.
As he explained, unlike in the case of Lesvos and foot-and-mouth disease, in Eastern Macedonia and Thrace no closure or marketing ban was imposed on cheese dairies, which does not allow – under European rules – the granting of corresponding state aid.
In conclusion, the Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food stressed that the government will continue to examine each request for support with documentation and respect for the European framework, noting that “The government has proven in practice that when there is a need for support for livestock farming, it responds with direct and substantial interventions“.
