Greek Farmers Guarantee Feta Cheese Production Amid Livestock Virus Concerns

Greek farmers are assuring the UK that feta cheese production will remain stable despite a virus outbreak among goats and sheep. Christos Tsopanos of the Association of Greek Livestock (SEK) confirmed that around 9,000 animals have been culled, but this won’t impact feta exports. Greece, home to 14 million goats and sheep, will still produce 120,000 tonnes of feta this year. The virus, known as peste des petits ruminants (PPR), was detected in Greece on 11th July, prompting rapid action from authorities to control the spread. Despite concerns, officials confirm the virus doesn’t affect humans.

The Ministry of Rural Development and Food has imposed movement restrictions and banned commercial slaughter to curb the outbreak. Over 200,000 animals have been tested, mainly in Thessaly. The region was already recovering from severe flooding last September.

Agriculture Minister Kostas Tsiaras has emphasised that while the virus has impacted livestock, it hasn’t threatened human health. Dimitris Moskos, SEK’s vice-president, noted the virus likely came from Romanian herds. Originating in Ivory Coast in 1942, PPR causes significant economic losses globally, estimated at $2.1bn annually by the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation.

For more on feta cheese and its origins, visit The Greek Reporter.