After assessing the epidemiological data concerning the zoonotic plague of small ruminants, the General Directorate of Livestock of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food changed the restrictive measures it has taken for the affected areas and for the whole country, always with the aim of preventing the spread of the disease, as follows:

They are prohibited

– It is prohibited from 23/08 to 30/08 all movements of sheep and goats for fattening, reproduction and to summer pastures, as well as cattle coming from farms healthily linked to sheep and goat farms, either housed within the same plot or housed on a different plot, but using the same personnel, common vehicles or equipment throughout the country.

– As an exception, movements for fattening, reproduction and to summer pastures are allowed on every island of the country, except Crete, exclusively and only within it.

– As far as the movements for the slaughter of the above animals are concerned, it is prohibited from, to and within the PEs of Trikala, Larissa, Karditsa, Rodopi, Drama, West. Attica, Magnesia, Heraklion, Corinth, Aetoloakarnania and Ilia.

– In the rest of the PEs of the country, the movements of the above animals for slaughter are carried out with strict application of biosecurity measures both for the means of transport and for the staff. The animals are slaughtered in slaughterhouses of P.E. or to the nearest slaughterhouse with the specific breed.

Slaughterhouse managers ensure strict adherence to hygiene rules and the implementation of cleaning and disinfection programs (premises, equipment and vehicles).

Changes compared to last week

It is recalled that, last week, a decision was taken to partially ban movement.

May

As stated in a relevant announcement, with today’s decision:

– The movement of live animals for slaughter is allowed throughout Greece, under conditions, except for the PEs where there is a confirmed case and the PE of Magnesia, after communication with the competent local authorities.

– From today, August 23, 2024, all movements of live animals are allowed to all the islands of the country, under conditions, except Crete.

– The ban on carrying out checks for organic livestock breeding throughout the country is lifted, except for the PEs where there is a confirmed case.

The measures concern the small ruminant plague virus and operate in parallel with the measures for the movement of live animals that the Region of Eastern Macedonia and Thrace has taken for the smallpox virus.

On 30/08, the General Directorate of Veterinary Medicine and the competent veterinary authorities will re-evaluate the epidemiological data of the epizootic and will define targeted actions to control and eradicate the disease.