PASOK MEP Nikolas Farantouris describes as “shocking” the response he received today from the European Commission to his written question regarding the devastating consequences of foot-and-mouth disease in our country, and specifically on Lesbos, where thousands of animals have been culled, with serious economic, food security, and public health implications for the island.
In its response, the Commission explicitly confirms that although emergency measures could be implemented—a) vaccination and b) financial support for affected producers—as has been done successfully in other EU countries (Slovakia, Hungary, and Cyprus), unfortunately, “Greece has not officially requested such support” to date.
Mr. Farantouris emphasizes that the government’s inaction is having devastating consequences on the livelihoods of livestock farmers and producers. “It is particularly concerning that, while the European Union has the necessary financial tools at its disposal and while other member states have already activated corresponding mechanisms and received funds, the Greek government has still not submitted a relevant application, leaving the country’s livestock farmers—and those on Lesbos in particular—without the necessary financial support at a time when their productive activity has been devastated,” the Greek MEP points out.
“It is unacceptable that our livestock sector is being destroyed while, at the same time, European funds earmarked for compensating producers remain unallocated. The government must assume its responsibilities and take immediate action,” stated the PASOK MEP.
Mr. Farantouris calls on the Greek government “to submit, without any further delay, a relevant request to the European Commission, so that emergency support measures can be activated for the affected livestock farmers and to prevent the situation in the island’s primary sector from deteriorating further.”
The European Commission’s full response to Nikolaos Farantouris:
E-001674/2026
Response by Mr. Várhelyi
on behalf of the European Commission
(July 2, 2026)
to the written question by Mr. N. Farantouris.
The EU legal framework—and in particular Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Delegated Regulations (EU) 2020/687, 2020/689, and 2023/361—provides the means to control and eradicate Category A diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease, including through vaccination. In 2025, Slovakia and Hungary successfully implemented emergency suppressive vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease as part of their strategy to eradicate the virus. In 2026, Cyprus is implementing emergency protective vaccination. More information is available in the proceedings of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food, and Feed.
The EU’s foot-and-mouth disease vaccine bank remains available to support Member States in carrying out emergency vaccination at the request of the competent authority, taking into account the epidemiological situation and the vaccination strategy.
At the request of the Member State concerned, the Commission may also adopt emergency support measures to address market losses associated with restrictions imposed to limit the spread of the disease. Greece has not formally requested such support.