Livestock disease prevention and monitoring in Greece

Greece has implemented several initiatives to manage and prevent the spread of livestock diseases. In the East Macedonia and Thrace region, a 300,000 euro collaborative project was launched with ELGO-DEMETER to address transboundary threats. This initiative focuses on the scientific documentation and prevention of zoonotic diseases through farm and slaughterhouse sampling, laboratory analysis, and investigations into pathogen transmission via wildlife and arthropods, particularly given the region’s borders with Turkey and Bulgaria.

Concurrently, the Ministry of Rural Development and Food has initiated an intensive serological monitoring program to combat contagious caprine pleuropneumonia (CCPP) in goats and sheep. This program involves expanded inspections across nine regions, including Thessaly, to map the virus's presence through blood testing. As of May 2026, the epidemic had caused 488,754 animal deaths across 2,681 farms. While current measures prioritize epidemiological mapping over mandatory vaccination, the data is intended to guide future policy. Local producers have expressed concerns regarding the potential for herd culling, advocating for more nuanced management to mitigate economic losses.