Parliament debates emergency farm aid as critics say government acted too late

Parliament on Thursday debated a government decree introducing emergency measures to support the primary sector and contain a severe outbreak of sheep and goat pox that has ravaged herds across the country. The decree, issued in October, provides for swift burial of infected animals, compensation for affected farmers and the temporary deployment of military veterinarians to assist regional authorities. The government said the measures underscore its commitment to protecting rural livelihoods. Ruling New Democracy MP Katerina Papakosta-Palioura described the legislation as a “crucial step of responsibility” toward farmers and livestock breeders who “keep Greece’s countryside alive.” Opposition parties accused the government of mishandling both the disease response and delayed EU subsidy payments to farmers. PASOK and SYRIZA MPs criticized the decree as piecemeal and overly symbolic, while the KKE Communist Party and smaller groups argued it came too late to prevent major losses. Opposition lawmakers said more than 450,000 animals have already been culled and called for a long-term recovery plan, improved veterinary staffing, and more effective biosecurity controls to avert similar crises in the future.