Agriculture and tax officials on Thursday launched a new electronic tagging system intended to improve transparency and accountability in Greece's livestock raising industry that's been hard-hit by subsidy fraud and devastating epidemics.
Rural Development Minister Margaritis Schinas said that the tagging system for sheep and goats that uses stomach capsules, or boluses, would be implemented on a pilot basis this year for farms with over 900 animals.
It will become obligatory as of 2027 for all livestock farms - applicable to animals over six months old - without which farmers will not be able to access European Union or Greek state subsidies.
"Greek animal husbandry is turning a new page," Schinas said.
"It is meeting its commitments to the EU and entering a new era ... dominated by rules, transparency and reliability."
