Greek authorities are warning that foot-and-mouth disease poses a major threat to the country’s livestock industry, with officials calling for stricter biosecurity measures and reforms to prevent a wider outbreak.

Speaking in an interview on Greek television, Agriculture and Food Development Secretary General Spyros Protopsaltis described the disease as a serious risk for livestock farmers, particularly as authorities work to contain outbreaks and prevent transmission beyond affected areas.

Protopsaltis said the agricultural sector has undergone major changes in recent years, pointing to a sharp increase in organic producers, from 30,000 in 2019 to 125,000 in 2024. According to him, the rapid growth led to intensified inspections that uncovered widespread irregularities, especially in organic beekeeping and livestock farming.

As a result, authorities suspended subsidies linked to new organic farming programs after discovering cases where certification bodies allegedly granted organic labels to producers who did not meet the required standards.

On-site inspections also revealed significant discrepancies between declared and actual production figures, including the number of animals and beehives. Officials warned that such practices damage the credibility of organic products and expose consumers to fraud.

Referring to foot-and-mouth disease, Protopsaltis stressed that many livestock facilities still lack adequate biosecurity protections. He said reforms to the institutional framework are necessary and called for cooperation between authorities and industry stakeholders.

“We must understand that animal disease outbreaks are here,” he said, noting Greece’s proximity to Turkey, where outbreaks have also been recorded. “We need to protect ourselves and our investments through proper biosecurity measures.”

He also defended recent restrictions imposed to contain the disease, including controls on the movement of animals and animal products. According to the official, temporary restrictions on products such as cheese exports were implemented in line with European regulations.

“The first priority is to stop the spread of foot-and-mouth disease within Lesbos and prevent it from reaching mainland Greece,” he said. “If that happens, it would mean the destruction of Greek livestock farming.”