Sigma Live

Gregoriadou on Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Don't Save the Tree and Lose the Forest

Published March 14, 2026, 17:08
Gregoriadou on Foot-and-Mouth Disease: Don't Save the Tree and Lose the Forest

Sotiria Gregoriadou, Senior Veterinary Services Officer, emphasized the need for full implementation of measures to combat foot-and-mouth disease, warning that non-compliance will delay the restoration of normalcy in livestock farming. Ms. Gregoriadou reported problems with cooperation from some livestock farmers, who are resisting the culling of animals in infected units, resulting in accidents for veterinarians. So far, 14,000 sheep and goats and 1,100 cattle have been culled, with another 10,000 animals awaiting culling. Inspections and vaccinations continue in all provinces, with a coverage rate of 73% for cattle and 35% for flocks.