The Ministry of Rural Development and Food and the Ministry of Citizen Protection are proceeding with close cooperation and operational coordination for the implementation of measures against sheep and goat pox, with the next three months being characterized as critical for the course of the disease. Following yesterday’s meeting under the Prime Minister, a working meeting was held today at the Ministry of Citizen Protection with the participation of the Secretary General of the Ministry of Rural Development and Food Spyros Protopsaltis, the Secretary General of Public Order Panagiotis Stathis and the Chief of the Hellenic Police Dimitrios Mallios.
Sheep pox: Controls, violations and biosafety
The discussion focused on the need to intensify and target field controls, with emphasis on preventing illegal behaviors such as illegal animal movements, illegal feed transport from infected farms, illegal management of dead sheep and goats, and illegal vaccination. At the same time, the importance of strengthening cooperation between the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, Regions and Hellenic Police at central and local level was emphasized, with continuous exchange of information and close monitoring of epidemiological data.
The Secretary General of Rural Development and Food emphasized that effectiveness is judged in the field and that the assistance of the Hellenic Police is crucial for limiting the spread. For his part, the Secretary General of Public Order pointed out that the sole priority is the full implementation of biosafety measures. The Ministry of Rural Development and Food emphasizes that the success of the effort depends on the cooperation and responsibility of all involved.
