Border controls stepped up with Romania and Greece over sheep pox outbreaks

Due to outbreaks of smallpox in sheep, increased controls have been introduced for the transportation of animals across the Bulgarian borders with Romania and Greece, caretaker Minister of Agriculture and Food Dr. Georgi Tahov told journalists in Lukovit on October 18.

What the Ministry of Agriculture and Food is doing purely institutionally, through the issuance of administrative orders, is banning the movement and trade of animals - small cattle. However, from here, I want to appeal through you for compliance with the directions in this order. The epizootic situation is very aggravated in countries around us such as Romania and Greece, and they, as countries bordering us, which are close to our areas, are really a prerequisite for the entry of diseases to us," the Agriculture Minister said.

He added that all necessary measures are being taken to contain the contagion. So far there are two outbreaks and they are local.

"The control is constant, the zones are marked - three-kilometre protection zone has been established around the outbreak, a 10-kilometre surveillance zone around the outbreak has also been marked. There is no way to have Bulgarian Food Safety Agency staff working 24/7. So I appeal for responsibility and self-awareness because information has come to us that there are vicious practices of buying sick animals from neighbouring countries and we will not tolerate this. Whatever we need to do as a country, we are doing it," Minister Tahov said.

In his words, every farmer, every breeder really needs to understand the complexity of the process - what this would entail as an epizootic situation in the country.

Source: BTA