Almost a month after the plague outbreak in Greece and we are officially counting 35 cases and 14,000 animals killed. The disease has hit 35 livestock farms since the infected animals crossed the country’s borders. The damage has been done and could have been much greater if the authorities had not detected the new outbreaks in time , i.e. those that emerged outside the surveillance and control zones. The plague has had time to strike in Thessaly , Elis and Crete causing destruction to the livestock population.
The Invisible Damage
The farmers who have been devastated face losses amounting to thousands of euros. Even if they receive government support, it is truly difficult for them to get back on their feet. This is the visible damage. However, there is another type of damage that is not immediately apparent upon first examining the problem. Farmers who managed to save their herds will have to deal with consumer distrust due to the outbreak of plague, particularly in the meat market. This issue is already evident in the region of Larissa, where butchers are struggling to find and sell sheep and goat meat, as slaughterhouses are closed and the recorded demand is low. Notably, during this time last year, due to the August 15th holiday, consumption had significantly increased. The price of meat is also a question mark, as it may become subject to speculation until the damage is fully repaired.
New Control Methods
As long as no new outbreaks appear, the plague will die out, making it crucial to discuss measures to prevent its reoccurrence in Greece. Everyone agrees that we need to reevaluate the inspection regime in the country, especially the chain of animal imports from other countries.
One solution in this direction could be conducting rapid tests on animals imported into the country. This sampling inspection, modeled after Covid testing, could significantly help. The Region of Thessaly already plans to import such tests from abroad. In the future, there is already an agreement with a specialized company in Larissa to produce these control tests, which will make their procurement and use easier.
