In response to a severe outbreak of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), commonly known as “goat plague,” Greece has enacted a nationwide ban on the transportation of sheep and goats. The measure aims to curb the spread of the highly contagious infection that has already led to the culling of thousands of animals.
The Greek Ministry of Agriculture announced the ban on Monday, stating that the movement of sheep and goats for breeding, fattening, and slaughter is now prohibited throughout the country. The decision comes after new cases of PPR were detected in the central Larissa region and in Corinth in the south.
Peste des Petits Ruminants is a viral disease that primarily affects goats and sheep, with a mortality rate ranging from 80% to 100% in infected animals. While it poses no threat to humans, it can devastate livestock populations and impact industries reliant on these animals. The virus was first identified in Ivory Coast in 1942 and has since spread to various parts of the globe.
The Greek agriculture ministry emphasized that the ban is intended to “limit the spread and eradication of the disease.”
As part of the containment efforts, livestock farmers, cheesemakers, slaughterhouse owners, and feed suppliers have been notified of the new restrictions. Additionally, ministry officials held urgent meetings with local authorities in the affected regions to coordinate response measures.
An ongoing investigation is examining the potential sources of the outbreak, with officials not ruling out the possibility of “suspicious imports” contributing to the spread of the virus. Greece is also working closely with the European Union and its veterinary services to manage the situation.
Under EU regulations, any confirmed case of PPR requires the entire flock to be culled, and the affected farm must undergo disinfection procedures. Since the disease was first reported in Greece on July 11, at least 7,000 animals have been culled to control the outbreak.
Greece has the highest number of goats in Europe, and goat and sheep milk is crucial for producing feta cheese, a product integral to Greek cuisine and identity. The outbreak of PPR poses a significant threat to the country’s agricultural sector, which relies heavily on these animals for both economic and cultural reasons.
The agriculture ministry’s actions are a critical step in addressing the outbreak, but the full impact on Greece’s livestock industry and feta cheese production remains to be seen. As the investigation continues and containment measures are enforced, the focus will remain on halting the spread of PPR and protecting Greece’s vital agricultural resources.