Sheep pox outbreak threatens livestock and farmers

Sheep pox is causing significant material damage and threatening the livelihoods of numerous farmers in the region. The Association of Breeders has issued an alarm, describing the situation on the ground as critical and criticizing the delayed response from responsible institutions. In the eastern part of the country, over 100 farmers have reportedly lost their entire flocks.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture Albrim Hoxha stated that the number of active outbreaks has decreased from 30 to 11. While 500,000 vaccine doses have been requested from Turkey, the vaccination process remains suspended due to necessary coordination with the European Union and concerns regarding potential bans on meat exports. Despite these risks, breeders are insisting on immediate vaccination to prioritize the survival of their livestock.

Neighboring Greece is facing a major livestock crisis, with thousands of outbreaks confirmed from the Evros region to the Peloponnese, resulting in the loss of over 400,000 head of livestock. To prevent further spread, the European Commission has established strict restrictive zones in Greece, including the closure of slaughterhouses and bans on the movement of meat and milk.