Greek livestock farmers sue state over disease compensation

Livestock farmers in Greece have filed a lawsuit against the Greek State at the Administrative Court of Volos, seeking compensation for losses caused by a zoonotic disease affecting sheep and goats. The legal action, led by lawyer and former Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food Vasilis Kokkalis, aims to address what farmers describe as inadequate compensation.

Key grievances include the failure to compensate for animals that died from the disease before official culling could take place, as well as the lack of reimbursement for stored animal feed that can no longer be used or sold. One farmer, Maria Giza, noted that compensation only covered a portion of her flock rather than the total number of animals present.

The plaintiffs are requesting a pilot trial to be brought before the Council of State, seeking a definitive ruling that would establish a precedent for all affected livestock farmers across the country.