Increase of the total compensation to 84 million euros for the cost of fodder to sheep and goat farmers affected by the pox provides for a new Joint Ministerial Decision of the Ministries of National Economy & Finance and Rural Development & Food.

The new decision amends the Joint Ministerial Decision No. 208989/1.8.2025 on the granting of de minimis aid in the sheep and goat sector.

The amendment concerns the support of livestock farmers for the increased cost of feeding (fodder), resulting from the temporary extension of smallpox in the second half of 2025 in some Regional Units and the continuation of restrictive movement measures.

For this purpose, additional funding of €21,000,000 is foreseen, compared to the initial €63,000,000 already approved in the original decision and €56,000,000, which was the updated estimate of expenditure, reinforcing the support framework by +50%.

Scaled aid per eligible animal

The level of aid is set per eligible adult female sheep and goats, depending on the region, as follows: €6, €9, €21 per animal, up from €4, €6 and €14 previously.

From 4.5 to 4.6 €, up from 4.5 € and up from 4.6 € in the previous period.
According to the update, the scaling up allows for more targeted support for farms that have been under prohibition for a longer period of time and therefore suffered a greater burden on the cost of feeding livestock.

It is recalled that so far, some €45 million has been allocated for animal feed. With the additional payments launched in the same support framework, the total aid for animal feed is expected to reach about €84 million.

The provisions of the decision will apply from its publication in the Official Gazette.