In trying to deal with it smallpox the goal is to save the country’s livestock, and in the face of scientific data, neither petty partisanship nor populism have a place, emphasized the Minister of Rural Development and Food Kostas Tsiarasafter a meeting he had with Governor of Thessaly Dimitris Kouretasfor the coordination of the actions of the Ministry and the Region for the limitation and eradication of smallpox in sheep.

The meeting was attended by the Secretary General of the HYPAAT George Stratakos and service factors.

THE District Governor informed the minister about the immediate actions taken by the Region after the occurrence of an outbreak in a livestock farm in Magnesia, following the rules and protocols of the EU, having in addition the recent positive experience of dealing with plague cases in sheep and goats.

Mr. Tsiaras expressed his belief that the cooperation of the Ministry with the Regions and of course with the whole livestock world of the country, can yield the same positive results in dealing with this zoonosis and, just as the reduction of the plague was achieved, the same to be done with smallpox as well.

“We have recently dealt with the plague with great success and we have seen that when there is cooperation between the central state, the Region and all the authorities and of course the breeders themselves, the result in the treatment can be really excellent.

The effort we make is aimed at saving our livestock. It is a moment that calls for responsibility. Obviously, neither small-party expediency, nor much more populism in the face of scientific data, in the face of instructions that we must follow in order to deal with an animal disease that endangers our livestock in the most effective way. As we managed to do with the plague, so in exactly the same way with the same cooperation, with the same scientific approach and much more with the constant I would say help that exists from all those involved, from the Ministry of Rural Development, the veterinarians belonging to the ministry, from the Regions, in this case from the Region of Thessaly, and with the cooperation of the breeders themselves we will overcome this crisis as well”.

With regard to the compensations for the sheep and goat plague, Mr. Tsiaras emphasized that the information of the affected breeders is expected from the Regions of the country so that the compensations can be paid by the end of November. He also reminded that by order of the prime minister the compensations per animal killed are high.

“It is known that the amounts of compensation related to the plague and smallpox have been announced and in fact there was a very brave effort on the part of the state. As you know, the prime minister himself and the government chose to stand with a great willingness to help alongside the animal husbandry world that suddenly saw its livestock lost to plague and smallpox. We essentially expect the Regions to give us the necessary information to pay the compensations by the end of November.”

Finally, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications reiterated that the measures will be reviewed and lifted, depending on the progress of the disease.

“We were forced to take some tough measures, such as the ban on movement, and if there are no more cases, a relaxation of the measures will follow. There is one difference with the plague. It is different to talk about livestock in July and August and different to talk in October and November when the animals are productive. The most important thing is to protect our livestock. None of us is in the mood to impose measures without reason and certainly does not work without taking into account scientific knowledge and experience, but also the European directive which guides us in dealing with zoonotic diseases”.

The Regional Governor of Thessaly Dimitris Kouretas stated:

“I thank the Minister for his wishes and the visit he made to the Region. Of course we see each other via Skype almost every day. The first case of smallpox appeared in the region of Magnesia. Yesterday we completed the clinical examination of all 84 units, with great mobilization. We don’t seem to have another case. We will need to continue checks on all animal and feed routes so that next Friday we will have a much better picture, which I believe will be positive. Our cooperation with the HYPAAT is very good and the Region’s crews are working feverishly on the details of the beneficiaries for compensation.”