The Greek Ministry of Rural Development is moving forward with compensation payments totaling €38.1 million for livestock farmers who suffered income losses during the first half of the year, due to containment measures imposed in response to sheep and goat pox, peste des petits ruminants (PPR), and foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks on the island of Lesvos.
Livestock disease compensation: who qualifies
The measure applies to producers operating sheep, goat, cattle, and pig farms whose livestock was subject to mandatory culling as part of veterinary disease control protocols, or who were unable to restock their operations due to movement and activity restrictions that had been imposed. The scheme was established through a Joint Ministerial Decision published in the Official Government Gazette.
Protopalstis: “We are giving farmers our full, practical support”
“The new Joint Ministerial Decision activates a meaningful support measure worth a total of €38.1 million for livestock farmers who faced not only the loss of their animals, but also the inability to restart their productive activities. With clear eligibility criteria, defined compensation amounts, and the immediate mobilization of our services, we are moving forward to ensure that eligible farmers receive lost income support, as we had committed to doing,” said Spyros Protopalstis, Secretary General of Rural Development and Food, in a statement to the Athens-Macedonian News Agency.
He added: “We are providing farmers with tangible, practical support until veterinary conditions allow for the safe restocking of their operations. The more decisively and effectively we adhere to biosecurity rules and the guidance of veterinary authorities, the sooner we will be able to return to normality.”
According to the Joint Ministerial Decision, the scheme covers animals culled due to foot-and-mouth disease on Lesvos between March 15 and June 30, 2026, as well as animals culled due to sheep pox and peste des petits ruminants between December 4, 2025 and June 30, 2026.
The measure also extends to producers who had already received compensation in December for income losses incurred in 2025 but were unable to restock their herds during the first half of 2026, as well as pending cases and failed payment transactions from 2025.
How much will eligible farmers receive?
Regarding the compensation amounts, the annual rate for 2026 is set at €70 per culled sheep or goat aged over six months, €35 per lamb or kid up to six months of age as well as for breeding rams and bucks, €200 per head of cattle, and €120 per pig. For the first half of 2026, farmers will receive half of the corresponding annual compensation amount.
To expedite the process, the competent veterinary authorities in each regional administration have been called upon to electronically submit detailed lists of eligible beneficiaries within five days of the decision’s publication.
Compensation will be paid directly into the bank accounts of eligible producers by the Ministry of Rural Development and Food.
