Greece notified the Commission of 29 new outbreaks of contagious ecthyma and goat pox in facilities holding sheep and goats.
The affected regions include the regional units of Etolia-Acarnania, Chalkidiki, Euboea, Evros, Kavala, Lemnos, Magnesia, Phocis, Rhodope, and Xanthi in Greece.
Greece has taken the necessary measures to combat the disease, including the establishment of protection and surveillance zones around the affected areas.
However, and in line with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) international standards, the European Commission assessed a very high risk of disease spread, particularly as the disease persists despite the measures already implemented by the competent authorities.
European Commission has decided to extend the ban on the movement of sheep and goats from Greece to other destinations outside the country until 30 June 2025 (initially until 31 January 2025) to prevent further spread within the Union and to third countries, and to avoid unjustified trade barriers.