Greece Initiates Mass Cull of Sheep and Goats Due to Pox Outbreak

A widespread culling of hundreds of thousands of sheep and goats is underway in Greece, following outbreaks of an infectious viral disease. This measure is anticipated to impact the production and export of feta cheese, a key Greek agricultural product.

Impact on Farmers and Livestock

In the Thessaly region, farmer Anastasia Siourtou's operation near Karditsa had its entire herd of 650 sheep culled on November 12, after a case of sheep and goat pox was detected. Ms. Siourtou, a veterinarian, indicated her belief that the herd contracted the disease from a nearby farm. The culling represents a significant financial loss, as the farm's sheep's milk is a component in feta cheese production. Ms. Siourtou stated she was present during the culling.

Another farmer in the same area, Tassos Manakas, experienced the culling of his 873-strong herd on October 9. He described his operation as closed following the event.

Disease Spread and Scale of Culling

Sheep and goat pox, a viral infection, first appeared in northern Greece in August 2024 and has since spread to multiple regions. By mid-November, the Ministry of Rural Development and Food reported 1,702 incidents. Protocol dictates that the detection of a single case on a farm necessitates the culling of the entire herd for preventive purposes. Approximately 417,000 sheep and goats have been culled to date, accounting for about 4-5% of the country's total population.

Feta Cheese Production and Exports

About 80% of Greek sheep and goat's milk is used for feta cheese, which holds a protected designation of origin within the European Union. This designation restricts the use of the "feta" name to cheese produced in Greece, a ruling respected by the UK post-Brexit. Last year, Greece's feta exports reached €785 million, with €520 million directed to EU nations and €90 million to the UK.

Feta cheese must contain at least 70% sheep's milk, with the remainder being goat's milk. Dairies have reported difficulties in sourcing sufficient sheep's milk, potentially leading to future feta shortages. Professor Dimitris Gougoulis from the University of Thessaly's Faculty of Veterinary Medicine noted that reduced milk availability increases production costs and challenges maintaining current market quantities.

Compensation and Government Response

Affected farmers are being offered compensation ranging from €132 to €220 per sheep, depending on age. Farmers have stated these payments are insufficient to cover their losses.

The government's response to the outbreak has drawn criticism. A National Scientific Committee for the Management and Control of Sheep and Goat Pox was established in late October, 14 months after the initial case. Additionally, lockdown zones were not implemented in areas with early cases in late summer 2024, and the state veterinary service is reportedly understaffed. Instances of illegal animal transport and unreported burials of infected animals have also been noted.

A Ministry of Rural Development and Food spokesperson stated that the eradication plan followed European protocols, leading to a near-zero case rate by spring 2025. The spokesperson attributed the October 2025 committee establishment to an "explosion in cases" due to farmers' non-compliance with biosecurity measures. Greece's Supreme Court has ruled that prosecutors must investigate potential biosecurity violations.

Vaccination Debate

Farmers in Thessaly advocate for mass vaccination of their herds, citing practices in Bulgaria and Turkey. EU rules permit emergency vaccination, and farmers are pressing the government to request vaccines from the European Commission.

The Greek government has expressed concerns that mass vaccination could lead to Greece being classified as an endemic country, resulting in restrictions on the export of sheep and goat's milk, particularly feta cheese. Additionally, Greek authorities highlight the current absence of a certified vaccine for sheep pox. Professor Gougoulis commented that existing older vaccines are effective in endemic regions but are not suitable for disease eradication, as they do not fully prevent infection and allow for continued virus circulation within vaccinated populations.