Lesvos: resignations, culling suspended over FMD

In Mytilene on Thursday, 27 August 2026, the session of the Northern Aegean Regional Council over foot-and-mouth disease unfolded as one of the most turbulent episodes in recent months on the island. Dozens of livestock farmers gathered in a rally outside the Regional headquarters, and, as recorded by Efsyn, the tension crossed into the chamber, where representatives of farmers, livestock herders, and unionists sat alongside first-tier local government officials; the same newspaper described the scene inside the chamber as demonstrators entering the session. Under pressure from those present, two resigned: the Vice-Regional Governor for Primary Sector Anastasia Antonelli and the director of Veterinary Services Stratos Tsompanellis.

According to Documento, the livestock farmers expressed their exhaustion from the constant shifting of responsibility between the Region and the ministry over virus spread in the past six months, while also complaining of compensations that, in their view, do not cover their financial losses. At the session they demanded the start of vaccinations, a solution for stabled animals, and more veterinarians, while, as reported by Efsyn, they denounced that they have still not been paid for milk delivered to cheese-making facilities or that ended up in landfills. The tension peaked when Deputy Minister of Agricultural Development Athanasios Kavvadas participated only remotely alongside ministry officials, something that, according to Documento, angered the farmers, who demanded his in-person presence.

With the backing of the island’s municipalities and the Region itself, the temporary suspension of mass culling of animals was decided, citing an improved picture as regards virus spread. Efsyn also spoke of a suspension of blood draws from livestock units, while Documento reported a suspension of virus tracing; the two accounts do not fully align as to the precise subject of the suspension, but both agree that culling stops temporarily. Efsyn in fact noted that the farmers’ unrelenting stance led the government to back down on this matter. The deputy minister, however, defended the government’s policies and avoided committing to the start of vaccinations, facing disapproval from those present, according to the same newspaper.

The fate of the temporary suspension will be decided on 6 September, when Athanasios Kavvadas is expected finally to arrive in Lesvos in person; his visit, according to Documento, will determine whether the suspension takes on a permanent character or whether culling and checks resume. Until then, the issues of compensation and veterinary coverage raised by the livestock farmers remain open, akin to other recent developments in agricultural policy, such as the Farmer Card changes from 28 August. The Northern Aegean Region will meanwhile need to fill the two administrative posts left vacant by the resignations, as the foot-and-mouth issue remains on the public agenda.