Greece updates foot-and-mouth disease protocol to speed animal health decisions
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The Greek Ministry of Rural Development and Food updated its protocol for managing outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Greece.
The ministry revised the emergency response plan with Ministerial Decision 236005, published on September 15, 2026. This change shifts the authority to order the culling of animals on infected farms from regional governors to local veterinary authorities, specifically, the Directorates of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine.
The Ministry of Rural Development and Food made this change to ensure quicker decisions and effective implementation of European and national laws regarding foot-and-mouth disease. By transferring responsibility to the agencies with scientific expertise and local knowledge of disease patterns, the government aims to reduce delays in responding to outbreaks.
According to the Ministry, the new framework clarifies the roles of all involved authorities and ensures that decisions about culling animals are made by veterinary services, removing the need for approval from a regional political official. The Ministry intends this revision to create a consistent and faster application of health measures across the country.
