“Maximos on Red Alert over Sheep Pox: A Three-Month Firefight, ‘No’ to Vaccines, Tight Grip on Farmers”

In a high-stakes meeting with clear political undertones, Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis chaired a top-level briefing at the Maximos Mansion on sheep and goat pox. What is at stake goes far beyond animal health: it cuts straight into exports, rural livelihoods and the long-term sustainability of Greek livestock farming.

The next three months were described as a critical window of opportunity. The government aims to build on the winter decline in cases and push decisively toward full eradication of the disease. But the roadmap is uncompromising: strict, horizontal and non-negotiable enforcement of biosecurity measures.

Mitsotakis draws a hard line

The Prime Minister left little room for ambiguity. Addressing regional governors and officials, he made it clear that there is only one strategy—and vaccination is not part of it. Invoking the Covid-19 experience, Mitsotakis stressed that the government will once again “follow science, not pressure”.

Behind the scenes, this was also a message to sections of the farming community pushing for vaccination as a faster solution. The Prime Minister went further, calling for zero tolerance toward illegal vaccines and unauthorized inoculations, urging police and inspection authorities to exhaust the full force of the law.

The unspoken fears: exports and credibility

Beyond the official statements, the political anxiety is palpable. A relaxation of measures in spring could trigger a resurgence of cases, while any misstep risks trade restrictions, particularly on feta cheese—one of Greece’s flagship export products. Government insiders privately admit that a negative signal to Brussels could cost hundreds of millions of euros.

Tsiaras: “We’re at the bottom of the curve—but not out of danger”

Agriculture Minister Kostas Tsiaras confirmed that case numbers are currently at their lowest point, comparable to last year. But he warned that this is largely due to winter conditions. Without intensified controls, especially at slaughterhouses and along transport routes, the picture could quickly reverse once temperatures rise.

Regions worry about livestock replacement

Thessaly Governor Dimitris Kouretas voiced the concern dominating regional corridors: how to rebuild livestock herds. EU regulations currently prevent immediate replacement of culled animals in affected zones, raising fears that many breeders may simply abandon the profession altogether. A follow-up meeting is expected to focus on compensation and herd reconstruction schemes.

Science draws a red line

Professor Charalambos Billinis, head of the National Scientific Committee, was unequivocal. If biosecurity measures are applied at over 90% compliance, eradication is achievable. Vaccination, however, could worsen the situation, as existing vaccines contain live attenuated virus and do not allow differentiation between infected and vaccinated animals.

The government is betting everything on a single quarter. Politically, there is no margin for backtracking. Socially, the challenge is to keep farmers in business. Economically, the risk is nothing less than Greece’s export credibility.Whether the plan succeeds will not be decided in Maximos—but in the fields, farms and checkpoints across the country.