The relocation of two large fattening pig farms in the area of Kato Moni, a business that will be financed with the total amount of €1.6 million. is at the heart of the Ministry of Agriculture's planning.
However, the full remediation of the area remains incomplete, as a third pig farm continues its activity, with decisions on its future being postponed due to the prohibitive costs required to remove it.
This development follows the official decision issued by the Commissioner for State Aid Control, Stella Michailidou, approving the substantial amendment of the relevant government measure.
The revised "Plan for the demolition for the purpose of relocating large nuisance pig farms" aims to provide state grants for the voluntary removal of units that are a source of pollution for the environment and underground aquifers.
The amendment to the plan, which was already published in the Official Gazette of the Republic on June 19, 2026, locked in the following important changes:
-The total budget of the measure is reduced from €6 million to €1.6 million.
-The maximum amount of aid per company is reduced from €4.5 million to €1 million.
-The plan now covers exclusively the fattening premises of the livestock units and not the entire facilities, as originally planned.
The position of the Department of Agriculture is that "fattening premises are the ones that cause the most nuisance to a livestock farm".
With this in mind, the competent Authority chose to channel the resources where the most acute problem is located.
The Ministry's proposal is immediately implemented for two fattening pig farms in Kato Moni, making full use of the €1.6 million fund.
The rest of the premises of these units (e.g. reproduction) will remain at the site for the time being, provided that strict measures are taken for their better operation.
The Government has committed to re-evaluate the situation in the region in a 10-15 year horizon with the ultimate goal of their total removal.
Despite the positive step, the community of Kato Moni is not completely relieved of the problem.
Another pig farm continues to operate in the same area, for which it was not possible to make a decision to move.
Based on the new data of the Scheme, and mainly the reduction of the maximum grant limit per company to €1 million. The financial burden for the relocation of this third unit was, at this stage, considered disproportionately high.
The Ministry of Agriculture is now called upon to find alternative formulas or additional funds in the future, in order to complete the environmental restoration of the area.
As clarified in the decision of the Ephor, the beneficiaries of the sponsorship must be Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) that have been operating continuously for the last five years.
The compensation will cover 100% of the value for licensed premises and 80% for non-licensed premises, including the cost of demolition, movement and disposal of materials, as well as the restoration of the surrounding area to its original condition.
Livestock farmers are required to prove that they will be relocated to another, approved livestock area within two years.
