Greece provides €45M in compensation to livestock farmers amid disease outbreaks

African Swine Fever livestock compensation Lesvos Greek agriculture foot-and-mouth disease

The Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food is implementing extensive financial support to mitigate the impact of livestock diseases, including African Swine Fever, foot-and-mouth disease, and ovine morbillivirus. To date, total compensation for income loss has reached €45,339,637, covering 2,806 livestock holdings across the country.

In Lesvos, the crisis has been particularly severe. Over 81,000 animals have been killed as of late August 2026. The government has provided over €7 million in support to Lesvos-based livestock farmers and dairy enterprises within a five-month period. This includes €3.5 million for livestock deaths and €2.6 million for 15 dairy enterprises. Additionally, €1.3 million is being processed for income replacement.

To accelerate disease tracing on Lesvos, the Ministry has requested the deployment of military veterinarians to assist local services. Amidst local unrest and protests by farmers at the Regional Council, the government has temporarily suspended mass animal culls and blood sampling in certain units. Meanwhile, the movement of dairy products has normalized, with over 3,200 tons of cheese exported from the island following the implementation of strict biosecurity protocols.

Entities

Athanasios Kavvadas · Bank of Greece · ELGO-Dimitra · Hellenic National Defence General Staff · Lesvos · Margaritis Schoinas · Ministry of Rural Development and Food · North Aegean Regional Council · Thanasis Kavvadas

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 3 SOURCES] The Ministry is providing 1.3 million euros for income replenishment to affected livestock farmers. agronewsbomb.gr · www.agronews.gr · www.iefimerida.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The first confirmed case of African Swine Fever appeared on March 15, 2026. agronewsbomb.gr · www.agronews.gr · www.iefimerida.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] The Ministry of Rural Development and Food is addressing the consequences of African Swine Fever in Lesvos. agronewsbomb.gr · www.agronews.gr · www.iefimerida.gr
[● 3 SOURCES] A total of 3.5 million euros has been paid to affected livestock farmers as compensation for livestock deaths. agronewsbomb.gr · www.agronews.gr · www.iefimerida.gr
[DISPUTED] A total of 35 veterinarians have been deployed to support the island's operational scheme. agronewsbomb.gr · www.iefimerida.gr
[● 4 SOURCES] 2.6 million euros has been paid to 15 dairy enterprises on Lesvos. agronewsbomb.gr · www.agronews.gr · www.iefimerida.gr · e-agrotis.gr
[● 6 SOURCES] Total financial support for livestock farmers and dairy businesses exceeds 7 million euros within a five-month period. agronewsbomb.gr · www.agronews.gr · www.iefimerida.gr · aeolos.tv · e-agrotis.gr · +1 more
[● 3 SOURCES] More than 3,200 tons of cheese have been exported from Lesvos following the normalization of product movement. agronewsbomb.gr · www.iefimerida.gr · www.agronews.gr
[○ 1 SOURCE] Payments to producers will be executed through the Bank of Greece.
[● 8 SOURCES] The Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food approved €16,843,162.50 in compensation. tempo24.news · e-ptolemeos.gr · www.agriniosite.gr · epirusonline.gr · www.larisanew.gr · +2 more
[● 6 SOURCES] Total compensation provided to date amounts to €45,339,637. tempo24.news · e-ptolemeos.gr · www.agriniosite.gr · epirusonline.gr · www.lykavitos.gr · +1 more
[● 8 SOURCES] The funds address income loss caused by ovine morbillivirus, small ruminant keratoconjunctivitis, and foot-and-mouth disease. tempo24.news · e-ptolemeos.gr · www.agriniosite.gr · epirusonline.gr · www.larisanew.gr · +2 more