Greek government faces crisis over sheep pox epidemic, leading to mass culling and economic strain on feta cheese production.
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In January 2025, a Greek shepherd committed suicide after having to cull his entire flock in Vrondú, Pieria region, following the loss of nearly a thousand sheep; his brother found him dead. The Greek government faces a dilemma as it has had to cull nearly half a million animals due to sheep pox, which was first detected in northern Greece on August 21, 2024, and is spreading uncontrollably. Data from the National Scientific Committee shows that between August 2024 and December 2025, 450,233 animals were culled across 2,449 farms. Despite recommendations from the WHO and European Commission for vaccination, the government rejects it due to economic concerns related to feta cheese production, which relies heavily on Greek sheep milk; vaccinating would risk losing Greece’s disease-free status and subsequent export restrictions on its PDO feta. Sheep pox is a highly contagious viral disease causing fever, skin changes, internal damage, and high mortality rates. Experts suggest the virus may have originated in Turkey, as it is endemic to parts of North Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. Feta is a key product for the Greek economy, with significant exports to countries like the UK, US, Canada, and Australia; mass culling has already led to decreased milk production and potential price increases for feta. Furthermore, a political representative claimed the government concealed a letter from the European Commission urging vaccination, while the current official response is only “health clearance,” involving culling and burning infected flocks. Meanwhile, there are reports of farmers illegally vaccinating their animals with vaccines from Turkey or Jordan, posing new risks as tests cannot distinguish between infection and immunity from vaccination.
