Greece imposes nationwide ban on slaughter, movement of sheep, goats

(MENAFN) On Monday, Greece imposed a nationwide ban on the slaughter and movement of sheep and goats as part of an extensive effort to combat an outbreak of “goat plague,” a highly contagious and acute viral infection affecting cattle. The decision comes in response to confirmed cases of small ruminant plague, also known as contagious ovine rinderpest, which were detected in the provinces of Larissa and Corinth. This disease poses a significant threat to livestock, leading the Ministry of Rural Development and Food to act decisively to prevent further spread.

The ministry's new regulations prohibit the transportation of sheep and goats throughout the country, including for purposes such as breeding, fattening, and slaughtering. This sweeping measure aims to contain the outbreak and minimize the risk of the disease spreading to other areas. In addition to the movement restrictions, the ministry has announced plans to carry out comprehensive epidemiological investigations. These investigations will be conducted in collaboration with regional authorities to trace the source of the outbreak and identify any potential routes through which the disease may have entered the country.

The outbreak was first identified earlier this month when contagious ovine rinderpest was discovered in several large flocks of sheep and goats in central Thessaly. Authorities suspect that the disease was introduced into Greece through imported livestock, specifically sheep and goats from Romania. This traceability effort is crucial for understanding the origins of the outbreak and preventing future occurrences. The measures taken reflect the severity of the situation and the government's commitment to controlling and eradicating the disease.

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