Three more measures to support farmers directly promote the Ministry of Rural Development and Food with an Act of Legislative Content that will be published in the Official Gazette today.

In particular, the non-disposal for the aids that will start to be paid from tomorrow is established OKAY for the fodder and supplies due to Daniel. In this way, the aid will reach the beneficiary producers in full, as it will be non-confiscatable and tax-free.

Also, as announced yesterday during the press conference by the Minister of Rural Development and Food, Kostas Tsiaras, the government is activating all available means to deal with the smallpox that affects the country’s livestock. In this context, military veterinarians are mobilized to deal with the disease. In addition, the operational framework of the Regions is strengthened based on the directions and timetables set by the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.

Main points of the Legislative Content Act

1. Strengthening crisis management in the field of veterinary medicine
All public bodies are required to adhere to uniform guidelines and timetables determined by the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, in order to ensure immediate, coordinated and effective action in cases of epidemiological crises.

2. Availability of military vets to meet emergency needs
With exceptional provision, it is possible to deploy military vets (up to three military vets per Regional Unit), for a period of up to six months, in order to strengthen regional services.
This decision strengthens local structures with specialized personnel, ensuring speed in inspections and health interventions. At the same time, it is possible to foresee special compensation and an increase in the number of military veterinarians, if required by local conditions and the evolution of the zoonotic disease.

3. Tax-free and non-confiscation of aid to producers
The aid paid on the basis of joint ministerial decisions 208989/1.8.2025 and 208982/1.8.2025 (concerning loss of income for animal feed for animals that were restricted due to plague and smallpox and removal of imported materials due to Daniel and Elias), are characterized as tax-free, non-confiscatable and non-assignable, in derogation of any other arrangement.
This means that:

  • are not subject to taxes, fees or levies,
  • they are not offset against debts to the State or insurance funds,
  • they do not affect the income for the payment of social or welfare benefits.

A strong message of support for producers

The Legislative Content Act sends a clear message that the government stands by farmers and ranchers at every critical juncture, especially now that they are directly affected. The validity of the Act of Legislative Content begins from its publication in the Government Gazette and will be legally ratified in accordance with article 44 of the Constitution.

It is recalled that 40 million € have already been allocated for payments for the animals that have been killed and an additional 12 million have been approved which will be allocated based on the lists sent by the Regions. At the same time, at least €46 million have been approved and will be made available in the next few days to cover the needs of livestock farmers who were forced to limit their animals due to the quarantine.

The Minister of Rural Development and Food, Kostas Tsiaras, said in this regard: “Today’s Act of Legislative Content is a clear and decisive intervention in favor of the primary sector. With the measures we are enacting, we demonstrate in practice the will of the state to support the Greek breeder and the farmer, especially in a period of crisis such as that caused by smallpox. We don’t leave anyone alone. We act in concert, with all available means, to protect production, preserve livestock and keep the Greek countryside alive.

This decision is yet another proof that the primary sector is at the center of the national strategy of the government of Kyriakos Mitsotakis.
We are mobilizing every human and material resource, so that together we can deal effectively with the crisis and ensure the continuity of production.”