Greek livestock farmers are raising alarm over a potentially disastrous two-month period ahead due to the threat of sheep and goat pox following a meeting with the Prime Minister and relevant ministers. The president of the National Union of Agricultural Cooperatives, Pavlos Satolias, emphasized the urgent need for the government to have a Plan B in place if disease eradication efforts do not show immediate results. Satolias warned that if concrete actions are not taken within a specific timeframe, the spread of the disease will worsen significantly after Easter.

Moreover, he pointed out that the restoration of livestock will need to be both swift and flexible to counter the impending threat. The comments reflect deep concern among farmers whose livelihoods depend on the health of their herds. The president of the Hellenic Livestock Association, Dimitris Moschos, echoed these worries, stating that no new strategies were discussed in the management of the disease and lamented the absence of discussions around vaccinations, signaling a protective measure that remains off the table.

As farmers brace for possible adverse developments, the agricultural community is calling for immediate government action to prevent the jeopardization of the livestock sector. The implications of failing to manage the outbreak could lead to severe economic consequences and a potential decline in livestock populations, underscoring the urgency of an effective response to safeguard farmers' interests and the agricultural economy at large.