Greek Farmers Turn to Black Market Vaccines Amid Growing Sheep pox Crisis

Desperate livestock owners turn to unlicensed imports as official vaccines fail to meet EU standards and infection spreads rapidly across Greece.

A surge in Sheep pox cases has alarmed livestock farmers in Greece, driving many to desperate measures to protect their herds. With official vaccines proving inadequate, reports reveal that several farmers are purchasing black-market vaccines smuggled from Turkey, Jordan, and Egypt. These unlicensed vaccines, costing around €3.50 ($4.06) per animal, are banned within the European Union but are increasingly being used as farmers fear losing their flocks.

Authorities Warn Against Illegal Vaccines
Greek authorities are urging farmers to avoid black-market products and instead cooperate with veterinary services. Officials warn that using unregulated vaccines poses major health and legal risks, complicating efforts to control the outbreak and endangering both animals and the nation’s agricultural exports.

Limits of Authorized Vaccines
According to a scientific committee under Greece’s Ministry of Rural Development, the existing authorized vaccine is only 50–60% effective, far below the required 90% threshold for herd immunity. This leaves a large portion of livestock unprotected and vulnerable. Experts also note that the available vaccine is not a DIVA type meaning it cannot distinguish between vaccinated animals and naturally infected ones. As a result, infected herds may still face culling despite vaccination efforts.

Economic Impact and Export Restrictions
The crisis poses a significant economic threat. Key international markets for Greek dairy products, such as Australia, New Zealand the USA and the UK, ban imports from vaccinated countries. Experts fear that large-scale vaccination could risk Greece’s export reputation, particularly for iconic products like feta cheese.

EU Urges Greece to Act
The European Commission has expressed frustration over delays in Greece’s response, stating that vaccination campaigns should have already started. During recent talks in Brussels between Greek Minister of Rural Development Kostas Tsiaras and EU Commissioner for Animal Health Oliver Varhelyi, the Commission reaffirmed its readiness to assist Greece with both vaccines and financial resources.

EU Offers Support and Doses
EU officials confirmed that the vaccines are EU approved and have offered nearly 400,000 doses to Greece. The Commission also pledged to provide additional financial assistance if further supplies are required. Despite this, Greek authorities have prioritized seeking scientific guidance rather than immediate rollout, citing the limited effectiveness and trade implications of vaccination.

Dangers of Unregulated Products

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Veterinary experts have issued stern warnings against the use of unlicensed vaccines. These illegal products, they say, can trigger harmful side effects and make disease monitoring nearly impossible, as authorities cannot differentiate between natural infection and vaccine response.

Konstantinos Milios, president of the Panhellenic Association of Veterinarians, cautioned, “Some are exploiting the fear of farmers. People are anxious about losing their herds and livelihoods, and some opportunists are taking advantage of that.” He added that vaccination alone is not a cure-all, emphasizing the importance of hygiene, biosecurity, and collaboration with veterinary authorities.

Legal and Scientific Risks
Spyros Kritas, a professor of veterinary medicine at Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, warned of the legal and scientific dangers involved. “For a vaccine to be authorized, there must be proper testing and evaluation. Handling or developing vaccines without permission is prohibited, even for scientists,” he stated.

Criminal Penalties for Violators
Many black-market vaccines originate from regions where Sheep pox remains endemic, and their use in Greece is illegal. Kritas emphasized that anyone caught using or distributing unlicensed vaccines faces prosecution and possible imprisonment. Authorities continue to monitor farms closely as the outbreak unfolds, warning that illegal vaccination could worsen the crisis rather than solve it.

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