The government of an EU country is threatening to impose a strict ban on the movement of sheep and goats as it battles a deadly virus. Greece has seen an outbreak of smallpox in its herds of goats and sheep, which has led to tens of thousands of animals being slaughtered.
Data from Greece’s Ministry of Agriculture shows that over 260,000 sheep and goats have been culled in the twelve months to August. Some 1,100 farms have been forced to shut after reporting cases of the highly contagious disease. Although the virus cannot spread to humans, the health crisis could see prices for mutton and goat’s meat steeply rise.
The outbreak also threatens to deal a huge blow to the export of feta – Greece’s trademark salty cheese made from goat and sheep’s milk.
In an attempt to bring the outbreak under control, the government announced on Monday a 10-day plan.
Officials have called on stockbreeders to tighten biosecurity measures for their flocks, as well as ordering vets to step-up on site inspections at farms.
Additionally the government has urged local officials to establish disinfection points to control the movement of flocks across the country.
The government hopes the measures will be sufficient to stop the disease from spreading and prevent the need for a nationwide ban on the movement of the animals.
Deputy Agriculture Minister Christos Kellas said a ban would have a profound effect on the food industry.
“This would mean a freeze on trade,” he told public broadcaster ERT on Tuesday.
“They will not deliver milk, they will not deliver meat, there will be no slaughters across the country.”
Sheep and goat farming accounts for approximately 18% of the total primary sector income and about 1% of Greece’s total annual Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
This sector is the most significant animal farming industry in the country and contributes significantly to the agricultural economy as a whole.