Sheep pox puts Greek feta exports under pressure
New European measures limit the risk of spread, while exporters warn of the consequences of vaccination choices.
An outbreak of sheep and goat pox in Greece is putting livestock farming and the supply of milk for feta under pressure. The European Commission has amended emergency measures for Greek regions; exporters are also warning that vaccination could affect markets outside the European Union.
Sheep and goat pox is a viral disease affecting sheep and goats. The European Commission classifies the disease as a category A disease, for which member states must take swift action in the event of an outbreak. The disease can reduce milk production and lead to trade restrictions.
In September, the Commission amended the regional measures for Greece. Areas in, among others, Epirus, Macedonia, the Peloponnese, Thessaly and Western Greece have been included in the European framework. The exact restrictions vary by zone and may concern movements and monitoring.
For Greek cheesemakers, the milk supply is particularly important. Under the European protected designation of origin, feta is made from sheep’s milk, optionally supplemented with goat’s milk, from designated Greek areas. Fewer animals or transport restrictions could therefore affect the raw-material supply chain.
The Hellenic Association of Dairy Industry has warned, according to the Greek news agency ANA-MPA, that vaccination could make it more difficult to access some markets outside the EU. According to the industry organisation, those markets apply different rules to products from vaccinated areas. This is a warning from the sector, not a blanket export ban.
The Greek authorities are continuously publishing new veterinary instructions and designated zones. They are seeking to limit the spread without bringing the entire national livestock population or the full dairy chain to a standstill. For farmers, this means additional costs, restrictions on movements and uncertainty about the value of animals.
For Dutch consumers, the outbreak does not automatically mean that feta will disappear or is unsafe. The veterinary measures primarily concern animal health, movements and trade. Whether prices, production and exports actually change significantly will depend on the duration of the outbreak, the scale of culling and the eventual vaccination strategy.
One story, several perspectives
What is established
- European emergency measures against sheep and goat pox are in force in Greece.
- The disease can affect milk production and animal movements.
- The consequences of vaccination for trade outside the EU are the subject of debate.
Left
Arguments Vaccination and the protection of animals must come first, even if some export markets impose restrictions as a result. The cost of doing nothing could be greater for farmers and animals than temporary trade losses.
Values Animal welfare, public health and the long-term sustainability of agriculture.
Consequences Vaccination can limit the spread, but may make exports to countries with strict vaccination rules more difficult.
Centre
Arguments Decisions should be based on veterinary data and regional risks. Designated zones, monitoring and European coordination could offer a middle way between full vaccination and complete freedom of trade.
Values Scientific grounding, proportionality and predictable regulation.
Consequences Regional tailoring may limit the damage, but requires intensive monitoring and clear communication with trading partners.
Right
Arguments The government must prevent disease control from unnecessarily damaging an entire export sector. Farmers and businesses need practical rules, compensation and scope to assess risks for themselves.
Values Economic freedom, property rights and protection of competitiveness.
Consequences Less extensive measures may preserve trade, but increase the risk of further spread.
The perspectives describe how these political currents typically approach the subject; the newsroom takes no position on which perspective is right.
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The veterinary status and European measures have been primarily checked. The possible damage to exports is presented as a sector warning, not as an established consequence.
- confirmed Sheep and goat pox is a category A animal disease in the EU. — The European Commission describes the disease as category A under the Animal Health Law. source
- confirmed The EU amended the emergency measures for Greece in September 2026. — This is stated in Implementing Decision EU 2026/2123. source
- confirmed The Greek dairy sector is warning of possible consequences of vaccination for exports outside the EU. — The industry organisation SEVGAP is cited on this matter in reporting based on ANA-MPA. source
- confirmed Feta is covered by a protected European designation of origin and is made from sheep’s milk and, optionally, goat’s milk. — This product specification is laid down in the European quality register. source
Editor's note
The animal disease and the European measures have been confirmed. The effects on feta prices and export volumes remain uncertain; warnings about vaccination come from the sector.Sources
- Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2026/2123 — Europese Commissie
- Sheep pox and goat pox — Europese Commissie
- Greek Feta exporters voice concerns as sheep & goat pox spurs vaccination debate — Athens24/ANA-MPA
- Ασθένειες Αιγοπροβάτων — Grieks ministerie van Landbouw
More on this in Dutch media
- de Volkskrant — „feta griekenland”
- NU.nl — „feta griekenland”
- De Telegraaf — „feta griekenland”