Source: European Parliament
Question for written answer E-002700/2025
to the Commission
Rule 144
Sakis Arnaoutoglou (S&D)
Sheep pox and goat pox continue to affect Greek livestock farming, with recurrent outbreaks and devastating effects in regions such as Chalkidiki. Despite the strategy implemented by the Greek Ministry of Rural Development, which is based on measures to kill infected animals and establishing protection zones, the diseases continue to spread. There have been recent reports of recurrent cases, which shows that the current approach is not sufficient. The economic losses for farms are enormous, and many are forced to permanently abandon production, while assistance from national or EU support tools is insufficient to cover damages or restock livestock.
The absence of a prevention strategy and the insistence on measures to suppress the spread of the diseases, without adaptation to local conditions, raises questions about the need to reassess practices and seek alternative science-based response strategies, drawing on technical support from European authorities.
Can the Commission therefore say:
- 1.How does it assess the effectiveness of existing strategies intended to address sheep pox and goat pox, especially in areas with recurrent outbreaks?
- 2.Does the Commission intend to assist Greece by providing technical support or guidance on the assessment and adoption of alternative prevention and control methods that respond to the particular geographical and epidemiological circumstances?
- 3.Is it considering amending or increasing flexibility in the implementing acts of the EU regulation in order to take into account the specificities of local markets?
Submitted: 2.7.2025