‘Our sheep are part of our lives, they are our soul,’ said the cooperative’s director, Manolis Constantidellis, addressing livestock farmers.

The lack of substantive answers or measures even after the 17 April meeting triggered anger among people working in the sector. Livestock farmers in Mesotopos, one of the island’s largest livestock centres, with more than 30,000 sheep and goats and more than 150 breeders, took action on Sunday 19 April by setting up a blockade at the boundaries of the community.

The cooperative’s assembly and local residents decided not to allow veterinary inspections of the herds, nor the slaughter of animals that tested positive for foot-and-mouth disease. As they made clear, their sole demand is the swift implementation of a universal vaccination programme for all sheep and goats in the area and across Lesvos.

‘We do not accept drinking water mixed with the blood of our slaughtered animals, we do not accept our annihilation. Our sheep are part of our lives, they are our soul,’ Constantidellis said.

‘We cannot bear to see our villagers, people in their forties and fifties, crying and unable to face how they will live from now on. If we live, we will all live. If we die, we and our animals will all die in this place. The evil will stop here today,’ he added.

A blockade was then set up at the entrance to the village and remained in place around the clock. Reports indicate that other villages, mainly in western Lesvos, are expected to follow Mesotopos’ example by also closing their entrances to ‘veterinarians and slaughterers’.

According to the latest figures, 43 cases of foot-and-mouth disease have so far been confirmed on 54 farms on Lesvos between 15 March and 17 April.

______________________________________________

Are you seeking news from Greece presented from a progressive, non-mainstream perspective? Subscribe monthly or annually to support TPP International in delivering independent reporting in English. Don’t let Greek progressive voices fade.

Make sure to reference “TPP International” and your order number as the reason for payment.