Lesbos places veterinary services under military control amid foot-and-mouth crisis

The Greek military is taking operational control of the foot-and-mouth disease response on Lesbos, where 90,000 animals have already been culled and anger among livestock farmers is growing.

The government is seeking to overcome opposition that has blocked implementation of disease-control measures. Under a new amendment, the Ministry of Rural Development and Food will decide the strategy, while the Ministry of National Defence will organize and command its execution. The North Aegean Region will implement the measures within that framework, rather than directing the operation independently.

Farmers have protested the mass cullings and say milk production has fallen sharply, causing major daily financial losses. They also say the state has so far provided no financial support or compensation. The region had decided to freeze the procedures, adding to the confrontation over how the response should proceed.

The amendment places affected regional units under a special emergency regime. Article 4 says the Defense Ministry will assume and carry out the operational coordination of all public services and bodies involved, overriding general or special provisions where necessary. A military officer, appointed by the Defense Minister following a recommendation from the Chief of the Hellenic National Defence General Staff, will serve as lead coordinator in each affected regional unit. The officer will direct operations on the ground and issue orders to participating services, including regional veterinary authorities, Agriculture Ministry services, decentralized administrations, port authorities and customs officials.