“Shocking” is how PASOK MEP Nikolas Farantouris describes 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 especially in Lesvos, where thousands of animals have been slaughtered, with serious economic, nutritional, and health impacts for the island.
In its response, the Commission explicitly confirms that although emergency measures could have been activated for a) vaccination and b) financial support for affected producers, as was successfully done in other EU countries (Slovakia, Hungary and Cyprus), unfortunately “Greece has not officially requested such support” to date.
Mr. Farantouris stresses that the government's inaction has disastrous consequences for the pockets of livestock breeders and producers. “It is particularly worrying that, while the European Union has the necessary financial tools and while other member states have already activated corresponding mechanisms and received funds, the Greek government still has not submitted a relevant request, leaving the country's livestock breeders, and especially those of Lesvos, without the necessary financial support at a time when their productive activity has been destroyed,” the Greek MEP points out.
“It is unacceptable for our livestock sector to be destroyed while at the same time European funds intended for compensating producers remain unused. The government must assume its responsibilities and act immediately,” the PASOK MEP stated.
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 for affected livestock breeders can be activated and the further deterioration of the situation in the island’s primary sector can be prevented”.
The full response of the European Commission to Nikolas Farantouris:
E-001674/2026
Reply by Mr. Várhelyi
on behalf of the European Commission
(2.7.2026)
to the written question by Mr. N. Farantouris.
The EU legal framework — and in particular Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and Commission Delegated Regulations (EU) 2020/687, 2020/689 and 2023/361 — provides the means for the control and eradication of category A diseases, such as foot-and-mouth disease, including vaccination. In 2025 Slovakia and Hungary successfully applied emergency suppressive vaccination against foot-and-mouth disease as part of their strategy for eradicating the virus. In 2026 Cyprus is applying emergency protective vaccination. More information is available in the proceedings of the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed.
The EU 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 establish emergency support measures for market losses linked to the restrictions imposed to contain the spread of the disease. Greece has not officially requested such support.