The possibility of full financing for those farmers affected by disastrous floods of Thessaly and wish to return to the profession is given by the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.

Specifically, as the responsible minister had announced from Larissa, Lefteris Avgenakis “there will not be a minute delay in the implementation of the reconstruction program of Thessaly”.

In this direction through Measure 5.2. of the Rural Development Program, breeders will be able to replace their livestock and build their stable facilities from scratch without having to spend a single euro themselves since they will be 100% financed.

According to the data, more than 115 thousand sheep, goats, cattle and pigs were lost to the floods, while stable facilities were also destroyed.

According to an autopsy carried out by the competent bodies and also according to what the affected producers have stated, in addition to the livestock, stable facilities, ice tanks, silos where feed is stored as well as other supporting facilities that are necessary for the operation of a stable have been damaged.

“Regarding the loss of livestock, this will be compensated as provided by ELGA, and will concern those who have made their declaration, while the damage to these facilities will be compensated by the state aid” they said to the Athenian-Macedonian Agency News high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.

In addition, the creation of livestock parks in the affected areas has been foreseen, where farmers through economies of scale will be able to reduce their costs, while they will also be provided with free counseling for those who enter Measure 5.2. from veterinary schools in the country for a period of three years, so that they become viable and productive.

However, as the HYPAAT officials underline, “the measure in question is not compensatory in nature. It’s for those who really want to stay in the business, build herds and produce again.”

Livestock

The livestock of Thessaly undoubtedly suffered heavy losses from the floods of the “Daniel” theology. Among others, 84,528 sheep and goats, 7,963 cattle and 23,131 pigs died.

As Mr. Avgenakis had mentioned, the breeders will be able to replace the losses they have suffered in their livestock with 100% financing, without having to put in a single euro themselves.

At the moment, as YPAAT officials reported to APE-MPE, “the only animals that are available at this time are pregnant females, which, due to the high price of milk, make it difficult to dispose of them, as the breeders they keep to take advantage of the milk when they give birth. The same is the picture found in foreign markets”.

Thus, the planning has shifted primarily to obtaining young and not adult females, in the period of February – March 2024. This will result in a loss of income for the breeders and this is because they will start to become productive in December 2024 .

The total budget of the 5.2 program reaches 45 million euros. More than enough money since the number of animals multiplied by the purchase price is less than this amount.

The same executives, responding to what has been heard in the past period that there are no animals or where they will be found, note that “only in the area of ​​Thessaly more than 1 million animals are registered in the veterinary bases and in the next period it is expected to be born 1, 5 million children’.

However, it should be emphasized that there will be committees that will check that the animals are suitable for purchase, will be responsible for any overcharges and will give the final “OK” on whether a stable facility is ready to accept the animals.

The supply of animals will be made by cooperatives and production units that will be indicated by the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food, so that the requirements are met and they cover every livestock facility that each region has.

Livestock facilities

The same regime will apply to the re-creation of livestock facilities that were destroyed in Thessaly. The registered breeders of Measure 5.2 will be able to build their stables from scratch with 100% financing, since infrastructure costs are also included in the eligible costs.

Within the next few days, perhaps even within the next week, the Ministry of Rural Development and Food will release the standard designs of stables.

They are intended to be constructed in such a way that the stabled animals can yield 100% of their production.

In addition, they will fully comply with the rules of hygiene and biosecurity, while the creation of facilities will be provided, which the breeders will be able to use, in order to release and escape the animals in the event of floods. “Generally they will be state-of-the-art units that will be able to utilize all the latest technologies around animal production” they pointed out.

Livestock Parks

In the bill prepared by the Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food, there is provision for simplifying the establishment and operation of livestock parks which will operate with specific rules that meet the well-being and hygiene of the animals.

According to estimates, with their creation there will be economies of scale and optimization of production and economic viability of livestock farmers.

The HYPAAT is in consultation with the local government, which should indicate the appropriate areas, which should meet some basic conditions, not only in terms of use but also in terms of the possibility of animals escaping in the event of a recurrence of flooding.

“It will be easily accessible from the villages, but in places where in the event of a possible flood there will be a safe escape of the livestock”, YPAAT officials noted to APE-MBE.

The creation of livestock parks, according to the same executives, will, among other things, result in the reduction of livestock farmers’ expenses, while they will also be offered free consulting for three years.

“We have anticipated this in collaboration with professors from the Veterinary School of AUTH, the Veterinary School of the University of Thessaly and the Agricultural University of Athens, specifically with the Department of Animal Production. Teams will be created to monitor and advise livestock farmers to be sustainable and productive,” they concluded.