Greek Farmers Struggle Amid Goat Plague Crisis

Greek farmer Ioanna Karra faces another agricultural crisis as a deadly virus, known as Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), spreads among goats and sheep. Already hit by devastating floods, the new infections force farmers to take costly preventive measures. The government has imposed bans and is considering compensation.

Goat plague is the last thing Ioanna Karra needs.

The Greek farmer, who lost nearly all her livestock and equipment in devastating floods last year, faces a new threat as the deadly virus spreads across Greek farms. She now must buy expensive disinfectant to protect her remaining animals. 'We cannot bear the slightest damage for a second year in a row,' Karra told Reuters from her dairy farm in Zilefti, Thessaly region of central Greece.

Goat plague, also known as Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), was detected last month for the first time in Greece. The highly contagious virus can kill up to 70% of infected goats and sheep but does not affect humans. Protocols set by the European Union mean the entire herd is culled once a case is detected, and the farm is disinfected, with nearby animals also tested.

This week, the government imposed a temporary ban on the movement or slaughter of sheep and goats. Twenty-two farms are infected, 12,000 animals have been culled, and over 300,000 tested, causing great concern among farmers already struggling with climate change effects like heatwaves and erratic rainfall. While Ioanna Karra and her husband have no recorded cases, they must disinfect milk trucks and cannot buy new animals to rebuild their flock. They have adopted stricter hygiene measures. The virus adds to their woes from devastating September storms, which flooded vast agricultural lands, and ongoing criticisms about veterinary clinic standards.

(With inputs from agencies.)