An OPEKEPE inspection team claims it was subjected to verbal abuse and threats from a livestock farmer in Crete during an on-site check to verify eligibility for organic farming subsidies.

According to a written report submitted by the three female inspectors to the relevant services of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, the farmers under inspection in Moires, Heraklion, threatened them “with a sharp object,” saying they would “bash their heads in,” and expelled them while calling them vulgar and sexist slurs.

“The farmer’s parents and siblings were also present at the inspection site,” the report dated October 8, 2025 states. It continues:
“The father was hostile from the beginning, targeting the Ministry for conducting inspections during the livestock birthing season. After the initial administrative check, and following the father’s instructions, we began counting and checking ear tags. We entered a fenced area within the barn, where we checked approximately 70 sheep.
We then moved to an adjacent pen (fenced with mesh) containing goats, sheep, and young lambs, where we inspected around 30 more sheep with help from the family.
At that point, the father announced the inspection was over, claiming that the next enclosed area—which he refused to let us enter—contained recently birthed animals and newborns.
We tried to explain that in the final report we would document the animals that had been inspected and note that we were prevented from accessing the others.
He responded by snatching our inspection notes and tearing them up, which is why the exact number of animals inspected isn’t recorded.
He then threatened inspector M.L., saying he would “bash her head in,” raising his hand which held a sharp object previously used to cut string between the mesh fences.
The farmer’s mother tried to intervene, but unsuccessfully, and the main farmer—who was present—did nothing to stop the incident.
We were then forced out amidst verbal abuse, including slurs such as “wh…es” and “b…es.” We ran to the Regional Authority’s vehicle waiting for us.
The driver, P.D., having heard the farmer’s father yelling and swearing, urged us to get into the vehicle immediately, without even removing our protective suits and footwear covers.”

The Farmer’s Family Responds

On the other hand, the farmer’s family has accused the OPEKEPE regional inspection team of causing the death of three newborn lambs, even submitting a photo to support their claim.