Greece

The Greek government was forced to withdraw proposed legislation on pets and strays following widespread outcry from animal welfare organizations and opposition parties. Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Vangelis Apostolou announced that the bill will be updated and tabled on...

A draft bill that obligates Greek animal owners to neuter their pets or pay a levy if they have pairs for breeding will be posted for public consultation over the next two months. Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Vangelis Apostolou...

Greece's government is to abolish an excise tax on wine introduced in 2015, after the completion of the third bailout program review. Agricultural Minister Vangelis Apostolou, speaking on Tuesday an Athens event organized by the National Interprofessional Organization of Vine...

Agricultural Production Minister Vangelis Apostolou reiterated on Friday the government's intention to abolish an excise tax on wine by the end of the year, saying it failed to produce the expected revenues. Speaking during a visit to a winery in...

After a long debate about the effectiveness of the highly unpopular measure, the government has decided to scrap the controversial special consumption tax on Greek wine. The measure, which not only did not meet revenue targets, but actually boosted illegal...

Greece's Ministry of Migration Policy is preparing a program of job training for refugees, while the Ministry of Rural Development is considering a land concession project for 1,000 to 1,500 refugees. According to a Protothema.gr report, there is cooperation between...

Firefighters were able to once again contain the wildfire burning on Kythira island or the fifth day on Tuesday, after the flames were briefly rekindled in the southern part of the island, the fire brigade said.  Firefighting aircraft and helicopters...

Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras on Monday welcomed an agreement protecting the market for Greek feta in Japan, following a meeting with Economy Minister Dimitri Papadimitriou and Agricultural Development Minister Vangelis Apostolou. "Whoever negotiates with a plan achieves his goals,"...

Greece will get 19 billion euros in the next seven years for development in agriculture, while Greek traditional products will be protected, said European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Phil Hogan. The European commissioner is in Thessaloniki and on...

Protesting farmers from Crete on Wednesday clashed with riot police outside the Ministry of Rural Development and Food, with the latter resorting to extensive use of tear gas. A group of Cretan farmers arrived at the ministry building in central...

Farmers expressed their complete dissatisfaction on Wednesday, after their meeting with government officials concluded, while also expressing disapproval for the Minister of Agricultural Development and Food, Vangelis Apostolou. Frustrated farmers that participated in the Blockades of Promahona and Evzones walked...

Representatives of farmers from around Greece asked the Minister of Agriculture Development Vangelis Apostolou on Wednesday to take responsibility for the changes in their social security and taxation, during a meeting which they described as “crucial” for determining their...

The handing-over ceremonies took place at ministry's in Greece on Monday following a long-awaited government reshuffle that took place on Friday afternoon. Digital Policy, Media and Telecommunications Former state minister Nikos Pappas on Monday took over the Telecommunications and Post portfolio...

The results of Sunday's SYRIZA elections proved that there are political differences between the party and the cabinet. The ballot to elect the party's Central Committee and Political Secretariat sent the message to Alexis Tsipras that there are some disagreements...

With over 1,200 hectares of vineyards, the Greek island of Santorini is hoping to become a new destination for wine tourism. Just a few decades ago the island had over 2,700 hectares of vineyards, and Santorini's mayor, Nikolaos Zorzos is...