The conservation and enhancement of the environment and natural resources in rural areas constitute a basic strategic goal of the Regional Operational Programme of Central Macedonia. This goal is served through a series of actions, including the support of livestock units and their re-location.  The aim of this support is to remove the negative consequences caused by the operation of certain units close to residential areas and in locations where they are a public nuisance and generate infections.  This distressing situation, which has been going on for a decade, destroying the environment and carrying serious risks to public health, must be reversed, in line with current legislation.

A characteristic success story of this kind of integrated support is the re-location of two large livestock units in the area of Pentalofo, Thessaloniki:  Two units with a significant number of heads (milk-producing cows and calves, etc.), side by side with homes in the residential area of Pentalofo, are a public nuisance for their neighbours. A common integrated re-location plan - well-defined and well-developed - was drawn up for both production units, at a distance from residential areas, and incorporated under the relevant measure.

The overall relocation plan had a budget of around 570,000 Euro, subsidized at 50% of the cost of the whole plan, ie. € 285,000.  The investment was completed as expected and within the time schedule. Today, it constitutes a model livestock project in the Pentalofo area, relieving the local inhabitants of any effects that the operation of the two livestock units may have had on the residential area. The two units share some common areas and their productivity is gradually improving. Apart from protecting the structural and natural environment, agricultural production is also strengthened, in a sector which is indeed of critical importance to the economy of Central Macedonia, the main dairy area for the whole country.