Compensation to Livestock Farmers for Animals Culled or Slaughtered under Mandatory Disease-Control Measures
Livestock farmers who are ordered by the veterinary authorities to cull or slaughter their animals because of an epizootic disease (e.g. sheep pox, peste des petits ruminants, foot-and-mouth disease, brucellosis) are compensated on the market value of the animals. Payment goes through the regional veterinary services.
100% of market value for mandatory culling and destruction; 70% for mandatory slaughter (80% when the whole carcass is rejected). 2026 budget: EUR 40,000,000 for farmer compensation.
Who can get it
Official evidence · ΚΥΑ 44441/20-02-2026, άρθρο 2 (νόσοι ζώων, πτηνών, ιχθύων, δίθυρων μαλακίων και μελισσοσμηνών) και άρθρο 12: αποζημιώσεις για θανάτωση ζώων, ζώων υδατοκαλλιέργειας και μελισσοσμηνών · άρθρο 2Γ: «Η παρούσα Απόφαση εφαρμόζεται αποκλειστικά για πολύ μικρές, μικρές και μεσαίες επιχειρήσεις (ΜΜΕ) … οι οποίες δραστηριοποιούνται στην πρωτογενή γεωργική παραγωγή … καθώς και για πολύ μικρές, μικρές και μεσαίες επιχειρήσεις (ΜΜΕ) … που δραστηριοποιούνται στην παραγωγή, τη μεταποίηση και την εμπορία προϊόντων αλιείας και υδατοκαλλιέργειας» · Checked: 2026-10-12
Official evidence · ΚΥΑ 44441/20-02-2026, άρθρο 4 παρ. 1 και άρθρο 7 παρ. 1 · Checked: 2026-09-28
Official evidence · ΚΥΑ 44441/20-02-2026, άρθρο 2Γ · Checked: 2026-09-28
Based on official sources. For the latest criteria, contact the relevant authority.
How to apply
The steps to apply yourself. Free: you don’t need to pay anyone.
Required Documents
Usually the details gov.gr already holds about you are enough.
Step by step
- 1
Veterinary order
The culling or slaughter must be ordered by your region's veterinary authority. Keep the order and the animal records.
- 2
Payment through the region
The regional veterinary services submit the data to the Ministry and pay the compensation. Ask your regional unit's Veterinary Directorate about your file.
Authority: Υπ. Αγροτικής Ανάπτυξης
Good to know
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- Fill in and submit the application. Enter your details, upload anything requested and submit. Keep the protocol number.
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What it is
Every year the Ministry of Rural Development and Food approves by joint ministerial decision a compensation programme for livestock farmers who are ordered by the veterinary authority to cull or slaughter animals, or destroy animal products, because of a contagious disease (e.g. sheep and goat pox, peste des petits ruminants, foot-and-mouth disease, brucellosis). It covers micro, small and medium livestock and beekeeping farms, and aquaculture businesses. It is separate from ELGA insurance compensation.
For mandatory culling the compensation is 100% of the animals' market value; for mandatory slaughter 70% (80% when the whole carcass is rejected). Payment is made by the regional veterinary services. No compensation is paid when the disease was caused deliberately or through the farmer's negligence.
For 2026 the decision in force is KYA 44441/20-02-2026. In September 2026 the Ministry announced payments of EUR 8,787,956 to livestock farmers in 9 regions.
How much it pays
| Tier | Amount | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
Common or crossbred sheep or goats, 6 months to 3 years (maximum value per animal) maximum value per animal; compensation is 100% of the value for mandatory culling, 70% for mandatory slaughter (80% if the whole carcass is rejected) | 220 € | One-time |
Pedigree sheep or goats with official certificates, 6 months to 3 years (maximum value per animal) maximum value per animal; compensation is 100% of the value for mandatory culling, 70% for mandatory slaughter (80% if the whole carcass is rejected) | 250 € | One-time |
Lambs or kids up to 3 months, common or crossbred (maximum value per animal) maximum value per animal; compensation is 100% of the value for mandatory culling, 70% for mandatory slaughter (80% if the whole carcass is rejected) | 70 € | One-time |
Lambs or kids up to 3 months, pedigree (maximum value per animal) maximum value per animal; compensation is 100% of the value for mandatory culling, 70% for mandatory slaughter (80% if the whole carcass is rejected) | 80 € | One-time |
Breeding rams or he-goats, 6 months to 3 years, common or crossbred (maximum value per animal) maximum value per animal; compensation is 100% of the value for mandatory culling, 70% for mandatory slaughter (80% if the whole carcass is rejected) | 320 € | One-time |
Breeding rams or he-goats, 6 months to 3 years, pedigree (maximum value per animal) maximum value per animal; compensation is 100% of the value for mandatory culling, 70% for mandatory slaughter (80% if the whole carcass is rejected) | 500 € | One-time |
Cattle aged 2-7, pedigree with official certificates (maximum value per animal) maximum value per animal; compensation is 100% of the value for mandatory culling, 70% for mandatory slaughter (80% if the whole carcass is rejected) | 1.500 € | One-time |
Cattle aged 2-7, endangered native breeds and improved cattle not in categories I and III (maximum value per animal) maximum value per animal; compensation is 100% of the value for mandatory culling, 70% for mandatory slaughter (80% if the whole carcass is rejected) | 1.200 € | One-time |
Cattle aged 2-7, unimproved and small breeds (maximum value per animal) maximum value per animal; compensation is 100% of the value for mandatory culling, 70% for mandatory slaughter (80% if the whole carcass is rejected) | 800 € | One-time |
Bee colony of a destroyed hive (maximum value) per bee colony | 70 € | One-time |
Destroyed 10-frame hive (maximum value) per hive | 30 € | One-time |
Horses (maximum value per animal) maximum value per animal; compensation is 100% of the value for mandatory culling, 70% for mandatory slaughter (80% if the whole carcass is rejected) | 500 € | One-time |
Mules (maximum value per animal) maximum value per animal; compensation is 100% of the value for mandatory culling, 70% for mandatory slaughter (80% if the whole carcass is rejected) | 400 € | One-time |
Donkeys (maximum value per animal) maximum value per animal; compensation is 100% of the value for mandatory culling, 70% for mandatory slaughter (80% if the whole carcass is rejected) | 200 € | One-time |
Lifecycle*
ActiveTime-limited programme
- Active from
- Active until
*Cycles, deadlines, and availability may change regularly. Always confirm with the official source before applying.
Benefit details
- Provider
- Υπ. Αγροτικής Ανάπτυξης
- Category
- Farmers, Livestock & Fishers
- Status
- Active
- Type of benefit
- One-off support
Details last verified: 12/10/2026