5-million-euro drive to protect native livestock
Nearly 5 million euros have been set aside to encourage the protection and reproduction of native sheep and cattle breeds, the government said yesterday. Deputy Agriculture Minister Fotis Hadzimichalis said the sum of 4.92 million euros will be spent to upgrade Greece’s four genetic improvement centers for livestock in Thessaloniki, Athens, Karditsa and Ioannina. «This will help preserve and increase Greek breeds that are well adapted to the local environment and are, therefore, productive,» Hadzimichalis said. The program will also seek to establish pedigree bases for local livestock breeds, such as the Chios, Serres, Karagouniko, Cephalonia, Sfakia, Kymi, Lesvos, Zakynthos and Frizarta sheep and Greek black-and-white cows.
