Greece has imposed a ban on the movement of goats and sheep from their farms to tackle a deadly outbreak of ‘goat plague’. Costas Tsiaras, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development announced the ban, which covers the commercial slaughter of goats and sheep, as well as their movement for reproduction purposes across the country.

This decision extends measures that were already in place in parts of central Greece, where the outbreak was first identified. The virus, known as peste des petits ruminants (PPR), is highly contagious and causes severe illness and death in goats and sheep. While it does not affect humans, it can kill up to 70% of infected animals.

So far, around 7000 animals have been culled in herds where the disease has been detected in the central Thessaly region, which has been the hardest hit. An additional 1200 animals were scheduled for culling just last week, according to regional governor Dimitris Kouretas.

MORE NEWS | Meat industry mourns as Neil Stoddart OBE, passes at 75

MORE NEWS | AGCO defends Board as TAFE pushes for change

The agriculture ministry emphasised that tightening security measures nationwide is necessary to prevent the spread of the disease and ultimately eradicate it. Under European Union protocols, when a case is detected, the entire flock is culled, the affected farm is disinfected, and animals in nearby areas are tested.

The virus, which has spread globally, causes significant economic losses, with the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations estimating global losses of up to £1.6bn annually. The World Organisation for Animal Health describes the virus as causing ‘severe morbidity and mortality rates’, with a significant economic impact in regions of Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, where goats and sheep are vital food sources.

Greece has the largest population of goats in Europe, and their milk is essential for producing Greece's iconic feta cheese.