Animal feed dispatched to areas damaged by fires

The Ministry of Agricultural Development & Foods has been sending feed to livestock farmers who were harmed by the extensive wildfires breaking out in Greece as of August 3.

In a statement, the ministry said Deputy Minister Fotini Arabadzi, responsible for animal husbandry issues, arranged with Minister Spilios Livanos and the Association of Greek Animal Feed Industries (SEVIZ) to send food until farmers afflicted start receiving aid.

The Association is providing the it free of charge.

Between the first shipment, completed by August 13, and the next one, scheduled for August 18, livestock farmers will have received the following amounts, per regional area:

- 136 tons, Evia island
- 110 tons, Ilia
- 37 tons, Laconia
- 50 tons, Arcadia
- 25 tons, Messinia (all four areas, Peloponnese)
- 25 tons, Fokida (central Greece) and
- 12 tons, western Attica

The dispatches cover feed for the entire livestock for at least 10 days, an assessment based on the productive livestock entered on databases prior to the wildfires (i.e. not counting animal losses), and assumes there is no animal feed sources in any of the burned areas.

The distribution is regulated through regions and their deputy regional directors, and through regional farming & veterinary branches directly to the farmers.

Minister Livanos noted, "The solidarity and support to our affected fellow-citizens is extraordinary. Volunteers and plain citizens are standing by those affected. In this context, I would like to thank the Association of Greek Animal Feed Industries for their generous initiative to provide animal feed to affected farmers as a gift."

Appreciation was also expressed by Arabatzi, for the association, the cooperatives and their members, and "everyone who rushed confidently to respond to our organized call for the immediate dispatch of animal feed in fire-afflicted areas. Those affected will be receiving state funding, but our priority is the health of the animals."

Meanwhile, the General Directorate of Veterinary Medicine called all regional branches to be prepared to help and support livestock owners in their areas, protecting live animals and managing the dead ones, and working with local governments for any necessary assistance.

READ MORE: CNN INTERVIEW: Greek PM admits climate crisis at the heart of fire tragedy.