The Minister of Rural Development and Food, Kostas Tsiaras, held a wide-ranging meeting with the Panhellenic Livestock Farmers’ Union during his visit to Thessaloniki, on the issues facing the livestock sector at a time of increased challenges.
The discussion focused on the evolution of epizootic diseases, with emphasis on smallpox in sheep and goats and recent cases of foot-and-mouth disease, as well as their impact on production.
At the same time, as pointed out in a relevant statement, issues related to the financial pressure faced by farmers, the transition of OPEKEPE to ADSE, as well as issues related to the restocking of livestock, compensation for animal feed and grazing management plans were raised.
Mr. Tsiaras stressed the need for strict compliance with the biosecurity measures provided for by European Regulation 2020/687, as a key tool for limiting the spread of epizootic diseases, while stressing that the Ministry is in constant cooperation with producers and their bodies, in order to formulate and implement targeted support interventions.
He said that the main priority is to support the Greek livestock sector and ensure the continuation of productive activity through a matrix of measures that meet the real needs of the sector.
After the meeting, the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Costas Tsiaras, said that during the wide-ranging discussion with the Panhellenic Livestock Farmers’ Union, all the critical issues facing the sector were raised, both in relation to the epizootic disease outbreak and the financial pressures facing producers.
Special reference was made to the impact of smallpox and the recent cases of foot-and-mouth disease, which, he noted, “ring a warning bell for the Greek livestock industry”.
Mr. Tsiaras stressed that the Ministry’s effort is focused on the creation of a “safety net”, with strict adherence to biosecurity measures as a key axis, in order to limit the spread of epizootics.
Referring to the Easter period, he noted that the possibility of carrying out pre-slaughter inspections has been enhanced with the addition of a new laboratory, an element that enhances the safety and speed of inspections.
He concluded by saying that, through cooperation and continuous communication with livestock farmers, the aim is, on the one hand, to reduce the spread of diseases and, on the other hand, to provide substantial support to the people of the primary sector, who “work hard, produce and create added value for the Greek economy”.
