Greece Sheep Herds Decimated by Sheeppox Virus, Farmers and Businesses Suffer

Devastating Sheeppox Outbreak in Greece

• 🐑 A virulent sheeppox virus is causing widespread devastation across central Greece, leading to the culling of numerous sheep and goat flocks.
• 💔 Greek stock farmers like Gorgos Taciolis are facing financial ruin, with herds of up to 900 animals lost, resulting in a complete halt to milk production and income.
• 📉 Over the last 12 months, approximately 260,000 sheep and goats, representing about 2% of the national herd, have been culled, forcing over 100 farms to shut down.

Farmer's Fear and Official Response

• 😟 Stockbreeders like Velis Kaholis live in constant fear of the virus reaching their farms, impacting their ability to sleep and manage their operations.
• 🚨 Greek authorities have initiated a 10-day emergency plan involving veterinarians and disinfection zones, though many believe the response is too late.
• 🚫 There is a warning of a potential nationwide ban on animal movement to contain the spread of the highly infectious virus.

Economic Impact on Food Production

• 📈 The sheeppox outbreak threatens to increase food prices across Greece.
• 🧀 The production of feta cheese, a significant Greek export, is severely impacted, with factories facing milk shortages.
• 🏭 Cheese maker Nikos Karakanis, who has produced feta since 1970, has had to lay off 10 employees due to the lack of milk supply, highlighting the widespread economic damage.
• 📊 The affected region produces 15% of Greece's sheep and goat meat and nearly a third of its milk and feta cheese.