Lesvos livestock farmers face crisis amid foot-and-mouth disease outbreak

Livestock farmers on the island of Lesvos are facing severe economic hardship due to an ongoing foot-and-mouth disease outbreak. While the Greek government has implemented a new operational structure—where the Ministry of National Defence coordinates public services and the Ministry of Rural Development and Food maintains scientific and veterinary responsibility—local producers report significant dissatisfaction.

Leonidas Koutsavlis, president of the Filia–Lesvos Agricultural Cooperative, expressed frustration over delayed compensations. He noted that out of 192 affected individuals, only 100 have received payments for lost income, with some farmers waiting since March. Additionally, compensation for destroyed milk supplies remains outstanding. Farmers have also voiced skepticism regarding recent government announcements of tax exemptions for low-income farmers, arguing that such measures do not address the immediate loss of livestock.

On the regulatory side, tracing efforts for the disease have reached approximately 80%. The government has allocated 3 million euros to the North Aegean Region to cover costs related to the epidemic. Officials emphasize that veterinary protocols and scientific strategies remain unchanged, aiming for the total eradication of the disease through coordinated field efforts.