The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) is introducing mandatory veterinary control of all shipments of live animals crossing our southern border. The measure is preventive and aims to stop the penetration of foot-and-mouth disease from Cyprus and smallpox from Greece into Bulgarian territory, the institution's press center announced.
The danger to domestic livestock farming comes from two independent epidemics in the south. Since the beginning of the year, 131 new outbreaks of smallpox in sheep and goats have been identified in Greece, with the crisis there leading to the destruction of over 470,000 animals over the past year and a half. At the same time, 40 outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease were registered in Cyprus – the most contagious viral disease of cloven-hoofed animals, affecting cattle, buffalo, sheep and pigs.
Bulgaria has been completely free of foot-and-mouth disease since 2011, when the last cases were registered in our country. In order to maintain this key export status, the Executive Director of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, Dr. Angel Mavrovski, ordered immediate action at the border and in the interior of the country.
All vehicles carrying large and small ruminants or pigs will be required to pass through designated sites for official control. Inspectors will carry out clinical examinations, a thorough check of the accompanying documents and, if necessary, take samples for laboratory analysis.
"Extraordinary inspections will be carried out in livestock farms with large and small ruminants and pigs", the Agency categorically states. The focus of these inspections will be on biosecurity on farms and strict compliance with data in the "VetIS" information system.
Control is also being strengthened against any attempt at unregulated import of animal products, feed and risky materials from the Greek side.
The strictest restrictions are in the border areas and along the routes of the main transport corridors. In the districts of Blagoevgrad, Smolyan, Kardzhali and Haskovo, a complete ban on holding animal markets, exhibitions and competitions is imposed until the order is explicitly revoked.
The regional structures of the RFSD are starting emergency training for farmers on site. Livestock breeders must know how to recognize the first symptoms of diseases and are obliged to immediately notify the veterinary authorities at the slightest suspicion of infection in their herds, as well as to observe an absolute ban on the movement of sick animals.