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Meat producers from Rousse and Silistra seek lifting of the so called “diamond stamp”

meat producers rousse silistra seek lifting called ldquodiamond stamprdquo
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16:49, 26.03.2021
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Pig farms in Rousse and Silistra are suffering losses due to the so-called "diamond stamp", which does not allow them to sell meat in other countries in the European Union because there had been African swine fever in the region. It turns out, however, that meat processors from other regions in Bulgaria also refuse to buy meat from them. In addition, due to the closed restaurants, there is also a decrease in the consumption of meat products.

Due to the African Swine Fever infection, a large part of the pig farms in the country had received a requirement from the European Commission for the so-called "diamond stamp" which restricts them to trade their meat in the countries of the union. A few days ago, the restriction was lifted for the districts of Razgrad, Dobrich, Kardzhali, Blagoevgrad, Sofia and the municipality of Aksakovo. However, Rousse and Silistra remained in the restricted area, although there has been no infection in these regions for almost 2 years.

"It's a bit like Catch 22 - we are not banned from selling, but colleagues from the meat processing industry are reluctant to buy meat from us which has this stamp," commented the executive director of the pig farm in the village of Golyamo Vranovo, Vihren Dimitrov.

That made meat producers raise the issue. The pig farm in the village of Golyamo Vranovo has already regained its capacity after it had culled all its pigs due to the African Swine Fever two years ago. Currently, the farm has 26,000 pigs. However, they cannot sell their products outside the Rousse region.

"Today, Montata returned some liver, we were refused deals in Kardzhali and Plovdiv, precisely because of this thing. Here, as you can see, we have recovered, we have implemented large number of measures to meet all European requirements, we are working at full capacity, but meat processors are stressed They say: we do not want to have problems and when you sort out the stamp, then we will work with you," Vihren Dimitrov explained.

According to Vihren Dimitrov, the concern is not so much that their products may be contaminated, but from the many additional requirements for the meat processing companies - more documentation, separate freezers for storage. And if the "diamond stamp" is removed, things will be much simpler.

"They should have asked the restrictions to be lifted for the whole country, because for more than a year there was no case of African Swine Fever in yards of private houses and in pig farms. "We are in an emergency situation. So then, in order to save the economy, to save supplies, after all, this is food for the people, this situation must be used and the stamp requirement lifted," Dimitrov added.

Pig farmers from Silistra support the demands of their colleagues from Rousse for lifting of the "diamond stamp". According to the manager of the largest meat processing enterprise in Silistra, Borislav Borissov, the pig farms in Northern Bulgaria are victims of unfair competition. Two thirds of the meat sold in the country is imported, and at the same time local traders refuse to work with them. And they insist that the Bulgarian veterinary services put the issue again before the European Commission and that they would soon be given the right to trade freely.

Pork meat produced in Bulgaria is safe. The main task of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency and the industry is to prevent the spread of African Swine Fever in our country, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tsvyatko Alexandrov, Deputy Executive Director of the agency told BNT breakfast show on March 26.

The pig farms in Rousse and Silistra suffer losses due to the so-called “diamond stamp” that prevents them from selling meat in other EU countries because there had been African Swine Fever in the region.

The “diamond stamp” turned out to be a problem for Bulgarian pig breeding. It is a fact that with a “diamond stamp” it can be sold only on the territory of Bulgaria, commented Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tsvyatko Alexandrov.

The Food Safety Agency is working towards lifting of this stamp and allow large industrial complexes to trade on the European market in Bulgaria as well.

"The first step has been taken, some of the restrictions have been lifted for certain areas in the country. Yesterday we asked the European Commission for all pig farms without exception to be removed from the this requirement, so I expect developments soon for other pig farms," said Alexandrov.

He assured that the meat is completely safe in Bulgaria and of high quality.

"Pig farms have improved biosecurity measures and this is extremely high-quality meat that no one should be afraid of. The African Swine Fever, you know, has outbreaks in Romania, the threat is huge, but the Bulgarian Agency together with industry shows strict control over prevention of this disease in our country and the introduction of new restrictions. I draw your attention to the fact that the African Swine Fever is not dangerous to human health, but only to pig farming and the economy," said Alexandrov.

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