One of the biggest protests on the island of Lesvos in recent years took place on on Thursday. Thousands of people, professionals and simple citizens, took to the streets demanding immediate solutions to the suffocating effects of the measures against the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) on the local economy.
The protests rally was organized by livestock farmers, agricultural associations, cooperatives, cheese-makers and slaughterers, in an effort to record the scope of the crisis affecting the island.
At the same time, public services and shops were closed with the local community sending a clear message of support and solidarity, confirming that the foot-and-mouth disease crisis does not only concern the primary sector, but has already spread to the entire economic and social life of the island.
The demonstration began at 11:00 a.m. from the North Aegean Region building and evolved into a protest rally that crossed the city’s port — which remains under occupation — and ended at the General Secretariat for Aegean and Island Policy.
Worth noting that also yesterday Wednesday, angry farmers have been blocking and disturbing the sailing of ferries, while authorities decided to halt the sailing of small boats bringing tourists from turkey, until April 22, 2026.
Since the disease outbreak last month, thousands of animals have been culled, while the government refuses vaccination against the disease.
Tons of meat and milk have been thrown away or left to rotten due to the government measures imposed since March 18,forbidding the human consumption and leading to the economic collapse of thousands of families.
It should be noted that the sector produces 250 tons – 250,000 liters – of milk daily and this brings Lesvos on the third place in milk production in Greece.
According to local sources, families who kept their children close to them to continue farming are now being deliberately destroyed and literally overnight, found themselves in debt while they also struggle with food supplies.
Lesvos is experiencing a complex crisis with health, environmental and economic dimensions, the absence of the relevant services is equivalent to operational disconnection. And the crucial question that arises is who is ultimately coordinating this situation, noted local media lesvosnews.net.
While the protest rally was unfolding in an atmosphere dissatisfaction, protesters were informed that the newly appointed Minister of Rural Development & Food, Margaritis Schinas, is convening an urgent meeting with representatives of livestock farmers and cheese-makers from Lesvos, focusing on developments related to cases of foot-and-mouth disease.
The meeting will take place at the ministry in Athens tomorrow, Friday, with the aim of providing updates on the situation as it has evolved and coordinate actions to address the crisis on the island, an official statement said..
At the same time, leaks to the press claimed that a package of measures that could reach up to 50 million euros is being examined, with the resources still being sought.
In terms of interventions, an immediate freeze of social contributions for livestock farmers and cheese companies is being examined, as well as support for cheese factories through a refundable advance payment that will reach 40% of the 2024 turnover. A model of subsidizing the raw material is being promoted, with the state covering the cost of milk so that its absorption continues and the destruction of production is limited.
The food-and-mouth disease is the second mass disease after the outbreak of sheep & goat pox that led to the culling of almost half a million animals since August 2024.
PS Who can blame the livestock breeders when they claim that the government prefers culling to vaccinations thus destroying livestock farming in the country?
