Greek Farmers Face Dual Threats: Goat Plague and Climate Change
The struggles of farmers in Greece have been highlighted by the recent spread of goat plague, officially known as Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), alongside the devastating climate-related events that have rocked the agricultural community. Ioanna Karra, a farmer from the village of Zilefti in central Greece, is among those significantly impacted. Having already lost nearly all of her livestock and equipment due to catastrophic flooding last year, the emergence of goat plague adds yet another layer of distress to her and her husband Thanasis Zouzoulas's efforts to revive their farm.
As reported by Reuters, the goat plague was detected for the first time in Greece last month, raising alarms among farmers. Although this virus only affects goats and sheep and does not pose a threat to human health, its impact on livestock can be severe, with a mortality rate reaching up to 70% among infected animals. Following the confirmed cases, authorities have enforced strict measures, including the culling of affected flocks and a comprehensive disinfection process at impacted farms, to stem the spread of the virus.
The Greek government swiftly imposed a temporary ban on the movement and slaughter of sheep and goats to contain the outbreak. To date, 22 farms have reported infections, leading to the culling of approximately 12,000 animals, with over 300,000 animals tested for the virus. While these figures are concerning, farmers like Karra are already grappling with the ramifications of climate change, including intense heat waves and erratic rainfall patterns that compromise agricultural output.
Karra and Zouzoulas express their concerns over the potential financial strain the goat plague could impose on their struggling farm. With the movement restrictions in place, they find it impossible to restock their dwindling flock, although they continue to sell milk produced by their remaining animals. The couple has taken heightened precautions to maintain hygiene standards, disinfecting all incoming trucks to mitigate the risk of contagion on their farm.
The situation is compounded for Karra and Zouzoulas, who are still recovering from the severe flooding that struck Thessaly last September. The floods devastated over 35,000 acres of farmland, affecting 25% of Greece's total agricultural production and approximately 5% of the national GDP. The tragic loss of 750 out of their 800 animals drastically hit their livelihood, making any additional threats feel even more dire.
Karra believes that systemic issues within veterinary care have contributed to the crisis, citing a lack of sufficient staffing in clinics which compromises the ability to conduct necessary health checks on imported animals. She aptly noted, "We were talking about a possible crisis before the crisis," highlighting the precarious state of agriculture in Greece before PPR emerged.
The origins of the virus remain unclear, though Georgios Stratakos, a senior official from the Greek Ministry of Agriculture, confirmed that it was imported from other regions. The government plans to reassess the ban on livestock movement by Sunday, with hopes of finding a solution to the ongoing crisis. Stratakos emphasized the need for supportive measures for farmers who have been impacted, saying, "It is definitely a big blow, but the government will stand by these people."
As Greece’s agricultural landscape faces mounting pressures—from climate change to disease outbreaks—the resilience of farmers like Ioanna Karra and Thanasis Zouzoulas will be tested. The forthcoming weeks will be crucial, as farmers navigate not only their immediate concerns of disease control but also the longer-term challenges posed by environmental changes.
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