Government calls on Lesvos farmers to stand down

The land of Lesvos is grappling with a deepening foot-and-mouth illness emergency, with confirmed cases reaching 43 and caller outbreaks appearing 50 kilometers from the archetypal sites – a sign, officials say, of failing biosecurity measures. 

The agriculture minister, Margaritis Schinas, condemned farmers holding blockades astatine the island’s larboard and preventing veterinary entree to their livestock arsenic “unacceptable and criminally liable,” warning that authorities support payments are contingent connected compliance. 

“The Greek authorities cannot money amerciable acts,” helium stated. 

Meanwhile, the determination politician publically sided with farmers opposing culling, declaring, “We are against the decease punishment – for humans and animals alike.” 

Farmers are demanding wide vaccination, but wellness officials accidental a afloat epidemiological survey indispensable travel first. 
Roughly 10,000 animals person already been slaughtered. 

The authorities announced 4 compensation measures, including €70 per sheep oregon goat and €8 cardinal already disbursed for mislaid beverage production. 

Officials invoked Britain’s catastrophic 2001 outbreak – when implicit six cardinal animals were destroyed – arsenic a warning of what unchecked spread could bring.