What changed
2026-08-31 22:36 UTC → 2026-09-01 18:20 UTC ·
added
removed
On 27 July 2026, livestock farmers on the Greek island of Lesbos gathered at the Central Port Authority in Mytilene to demand state action after a non-contagious fever devastated herds and shut down slaughterhouses. Organized by the Federation of Agricultural Associations of Lesbos (OASL), the initial protest followed authorities calling farmers and union representatives to testify regarding recent mobilizations and a temporary port closure. The OASL presented a wide list of demands, including full compensation for dead animals and unsold carcasses, subsidies for feed, a freeze on debts to banks and suppliers, permanent veterinary staffing, and state-financed 24-hour disinfection of ports and key roads. As the demonstrations continued, participants marched to the Regional Veterinary Service to protest the slow payment of compensation and the ongoing spread of the “afthodous fever.” Despite four months of control measures, the Ministry of Rural Development noted nine new cases in the preceding two weeks. Farmers criticized the fact that half of the disinfection centers were non-operational and sought dialogue with the head of the Veterinary Service regarding delays and the potential prosecution of protesters. By late August, tensions escalated as the OASL called for a mass mobilization on 27 August outside the North Aegean Region headquarters. Farmers have intensified their criticism of the government and Regional Authority for perceived failures in managing the zoonotic disease, specifically citing deficiencies in prevention, disinfection, and the handling of animal burials. By 31 August, the crisis intensified as farmers began facing mandatory culling. Themis Kammenos, president of Lepetymnos, questioned the reliability of veterinary testing after his herd was ordered to be culled due to antibodies to foot-and-mouth disease, noting that a previous inspection in May had returned negative results and no symptoms had been observed. Economic data from ELGO-DIMITRA highlights the severity of the impact, showing that sheep milk deliveries in Lesbos dropped by approximately 30.2% in June 2026 compared to the previous year, accounting for roughly 25.5% of the total national loss for that month. In response, the Ministry of Rural Development and Food is discussing measures to increase veterinary teams by approximately 20 military veterinarians to accelerate tracing efforts. The Ministry may also shift responsibility for tracing programs to its veterinary directorate. Additionally, a decision has been made to waive insurance and tax obligations for affected farmers, effective from 15 March until the end of the year.