In a written answer on 2 July 2026, European Commissioner for Health and Food Safety Olivér Várhelyi outlined the EU's existing legal and financial tools to address the foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) outbreak on Lesvos, while noting that Greece has not formally requested exceptional support measures. The answer, responding to a question from Greek MEP Nikolas Farantouris, signals that the Commission is ready to act if Athens submits a request, but stops short of offering proactive assistance, leaving local producers and the island's environment exposed to ongoing economic and health risks.
The question, submitted by Farantouris, detailed the severe impact of the outbreak, which began in mid-March 2026. With over 420,000 sheep and goats on Lesvos, the lockdown on livestock product movement has suspended commercial activity; 70,000 animals went unsold during Easter alone. Producers also face an environmental crisis, with 250 tonnes of daily milk and 10,000 culled animals lacking hygienic disposal sites, risking aquifer contamination.
Várhelyi's answer is largely a restatement of existing EU law. He cited Regulation (EU) 2016/429 and delegated acts as the framework for controlling FMD, including vaccination. He noted that emergency suppressive vaccination was successfully applied by Slovakia and Hungary in 2025, and that Cyprus is implementing emergency protective vaccination in 2026. The EU FMD vaccine bank remains available to support member states upon request, taking into account the epidemiological situation and vaccination strategy.
On financial support, Várhelyi stated that the Commission may adopt exceptional support measures for market losses linked to disease-control restrictions, but only at the request of the member state concerned. He confirmed that Greece has not formally requested such support. This places the onus on Greek authorities to trigger EU assistance, leaving local producers in limbo.
The answer contains no concrete proposals, numerical targets, or deadlines. It is a declarative summary of existing instruments, with no indication of proactive Commission action. The policy orientation is reactive: the EU stands ready to assist if asked, but will not intervene unilaterally. Expected institutional follow-up depends on a formal Greek request, which would then be assessed by the Commission and the Standing Committee on Plants, Animals, Food and Feed. Without such a request, the situation on Lesvos may continue to deteriorate, with producers bearing the brunt of the economic and environmental fallout.