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Last year, Greek farmers faced the devastating impact of floods; now, they confront a new, equally challenging adversary—the goat plague. Detected in Greece for the first time in July, this virus doesn't threaten humans, but it's highly contagious among goats and sheep, capable of wiping out up to 70% of infected animals.
As soon as a case is detected, entire flocks are culled to prevent the spread. Thousands of animals have been sacrificed, and hundreds of thousands more have been tested. The crisis is forcing farmers to implement stringent measures to safeguard their livestock and, by extension, their livelihoods.
Nestled in Greece's Thessaly plain, the Stalos dairy farm is a testament to the resilience and challenges of farming life. This region contributes 25% of Greece's agricultural produce and 5% of its GDP. Yet, it was ravaged by floods in September 2023, impacting around 30,000 farmers. Yanna Cara, the owner of Stalos Farm, lost approximately 750 of her 800 animals to the floods. For her, any further damage this year is financially insurmountable. She refers to the goat plague as "a crisis before the crisis."
The virus's entry into Greece, according to Cara, can be attributed to understaffed veterinary clinics that fail to conduct necessary checks on imported animals. Despite her farm being free of the goat plague, the government's recent temporary ban on the slaughter and movement of sheep and goats means Cara cannot replenish her flock but can sell the milk.
Senior agriculture Ministry official Yorgos Tracos acknowledges the impact of the ban and reveals that the government is exploring compensation for those affected. The origin of the virus is still under investigation, with Tracos confirming it was imported from another country.
The goat plague, first discovered in the Ivory Coast in 1942, is a significant global concern. The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization estimates that the disease causes losses of up to $2.1 billion annually worldwide.
As Greek farmers grapple with these dual crises, the question remains: How will they adapt and survive? Will the government's efforts be enough to mitigate the damage? Stay tuned as we follow their journey through these unprecedented times.
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