Owners of domestic pigs in Pazardzhik region defy slaughter order

Owners of domstic pigs in Pazardzhik (Southern Bulgaria) said on August 2 they would stage a protest because they disagree with the compulsory culling of “back yard” pigs as a step against the African Swine Fever outbreaks. They insist on cancelling the slaughter order which was issued by the Minister of Agriculture, Dessislava Taneva. After a meeting with the farmers, the agriculture minister extended the deadline for the required culling by week for the area of Pazardzhik.

In Northern Bulgaria, the deadline for voluntary slaughter of “back yard” pigs by their owners was July 31. In Southern Bulgaria, the deadline is August 2.

Agriculture Minister Dessislava Taneva has issued an order that after the expiry of deadlines for voluntary culling, regional food safety directorates will carry out mandatory euthanisation.

The owners of pigs from the village of Ovchepoltsi however are firm that they would not allow slaughtering because their animals are healthy.

They grow about 500 pigs in their yards. They are firm that they would not voluntarily proceed to slaughtering their pigs because there is no outbreak of African Swine Fever in their area and they think the measure is too hasty and will affect their livelihood.

They are worried about how to handle mothers of pigs and newborn piglets. They say it is a pity to kill them. They are adamant that BFSA experts should takel samples and, if they do not have African Swine Fever, they should not be slaughtered. Some even say they will not allow BFSA experts into their homes.

Mayors of nearly 30 villages back the people. They organized a large municipal protest today at 4 pm in Pazardzhik.

In fact, there is not a single test result showing African Swine Fever in domestic pigs in Pazardzhik, but there are 5 industrial pig farms around which there is a 20-kilometre sanitary zone.

Mayors demand an extension of the deadline for the slaughter of pigs by December and quick and easy registration of livestock establishments.