Greece’s Ministry of Rural Development and Food has imposed a sweeping ban on all livestock products from the island of Lesvos after authorities detected a case of foot-and-mouth disease at a cattle farm in the Pelopi area on Monday.
The emergency measures, which will remain in force until May 15, were introduced as officials moved to contain the highly contagious viral disease just ahead of the Easter trading period.
Greece backdates Lesvos livestock ban to January 15
The ministry said the measures apply retroactively to January 15 and cover all livestock products from Lesvos. The decision is expected to deal a heavy blow to local producers, who had been preparing for one of the busiest commercial periods of the year.
More than 70,000 lambs and goats intended for export now remain without buyers, raising concerns across the island’s farming and processing industries.
The permanent population of Lesbos, according to the 2021 census is 83,755 residents. The island is the third largest in Greece, with its capital, Mytilene, accounting for about 40% of the population. Over the past decade, Lesbos has also been at the center of the European migration crisis, serving as a primary entry point for refugees and migrants crossing from Turkey. The influx has placed significant pressure on local infrastructure and communities, while drawing international attention to the island’s humanitarian role.
Milk collection halted across 9,000 livestock units
Meanwhile, the restrictions have also halted milk collection across Lesvos, affecting around 9,000 registered livestock units. Together, these farms produce an estimated 60 to 70 metric tons of milk per day.
At a milk price of about 1.45 euros per kilogram, the disruption represents a major financial loss for producers and processors alike. The impact is likely to deepen if the measures stay in place through the spring.
Greece sets up Lesvos livestock control zones
As part of the response, the ministry said local disease control centers will coordinate with regional authorities and provide public updates. Officials set up a 3-kilometer protection zone around the infected farm and a 10-kilometer surveillance zone beyond it. They also placed the rest of Lesvos under a broader restricted zone in an effort to stop the virus from spreading further.