The first Meeting of the Greek National Authority and Official Veterinarians was held on 3^rd June 2022 at the Veterinary Research Institute of Ellinikos Georgikos Organismos – Dimitra.

The main objective of the meeting was to update the National Authority and Official Veterinarians about the activities of EURCAW Ruminants & Equines at European and at National level. In addition, there was a discussion on the major welfare issues concerning ruminants and equines in Greece.

The Meeting Agenda included a welcome and introductory presentation by Dr E.N. Sossidou, followed by a short speech of Mr Doudounakis and of Dr Marinou, representatives of the Greek Ministry of Agricultural Development and Food. The structured methodology of Delphi was then applied.

As a first step, the attendees were asked to prioritize each animal species at a national level (dairy cows, beef cows, buffaloes, dairy sheep, meat sheep, dairy goats, meat goats, horses, donkeys, mules) on a scale of 1-100.  According to the attendees of the meeting, top priority at national level should be given to dairy cows (23.08%), followed by dairy sheep (15.23%), beef cattle (13.85%) and dairy goats (10.85%). These categories were followed by mules (8%), donkeys (7.69%) and horses (7.23%).  In accordance with the attendees’ experience in practice, working equids should be addressed as a highest priority, primarily in connection with the overloading of these animals. As a second step of the Delphi methodology, the participants stated the 3 main welfare issues for each category of animal species.

All welfare issues discussed were considered to be important and will form part of proposals in terms of the development of priorities at a national level. Further meetings were expected to be held in due course.

Source: 1^st Meeting of the Greek National Authority and Official Veterinarians

3 June 2022, Veterinary Research Institute, ELLINIKOS GEORGIKOS ORGANISMOS-DIMITRA Summary report