Maximou on Alert over Sheep and Goat Pox: Background, Red Lines, and Critical 24 Hours

The meeting at the Maximos Mansion regarding sheep and goat pox was not a routine bureaucratic briefing. It was a clear political statement, aimed both at domestic audiences and Brussels. The message was unmistakable: no decision would be made that could jeopardize the country’s status or its international markets.

Under Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, the government presented a scientifically, institutionally, and European-aligned stance, announcing that further updates would be provided within the next 24 hours—signaling that the issue remains at the top of the agenda.

The Maximou Message

Sheep and goat pox cannot be tackled with mere communication strategies. It requires rules, cost, and discipline.

The presence of leading scientists and officials gave the meeting the character of a central coordination session, with the National Scientific Committee clarifying that:

The “vaccine or biosecurity” dilemma is false and misleading.

Why Vaccination Is Rejected

Vaccination is presented by some as an easy solution. However, according to the government and scientific line:

• No vaccine is approved in the EU
• It leads to the loss of the “disease-free country” status
• It creates permanent barriers to international trade
• It risks key exports, such as feta cheese (~€1 billion annually)

The real stakes are not only health-related—they are strategic and economic.

Behind the scenes, government officials note that countries that resorted to vaccination ended up with endemic disease, continuous culling, and long-term loss of markets. Maximou wants to avoid this scenario at all costs.

The Political Backdrop

• Regions under scrutiny: Implementation of biosecurity measures is uneven, with Maximou demanding zero tolerance for delays.
• Illegal animal movements: Considered a key driver of spread. Without control, no strategy works.
• Police and Coast Guard involvement: Explicit references suggest potential reinforcement of border and transport checks.

Compensation: Facts versus Narrative

The government rejects claims that affected farmers are left without support.

2025 figures:

• €167.4 million in total support
• Up to €250 per animal (the highest level in the EU)
• Additional support for feed and lost income

According to government sources, the problem is not resources but misinformation undermining compliance.

The National Scientific Committee is categorical:

Without strict and universal application of biosecurity measures, no tool—not even vaccination—can be effective.

The government is choosing the difficult but institutionally safe path, aware that an “easy solution” today could become a national problem for decades.

The next 24 hours will show whether the state can enforce rules—or whether human negligence will prolong the crisis.

Source: pagenews.gr