Minister of Agriculture and Food Dr. Miroslav Naydenov informed the business representatives and branch organizations on the situation in the country on the measures taken against the FMD. The Minister explained that by a decision of the European Commission the free movement of animals and foodstuffs of animal origin from, Yambol, Shumen, Varna and Sliven regions has been banned. Our country has decided to impose such a ban in the districts of Haskovo and Kardzhali, since they are located near the border with Turkey.
Today, at about of 500 animals in the village of Kosti have been killed, after 36 samples out of the total 1600 test samples have tested positive. He stressed that the disease has been detected early as the incubation period lasts from 2 days to 2 weeks. The Minister assured that all farmers will receive a 100% compensation not only for the dead animals, but also for the future production. According to the European Union regulations the size of the compensation for such cases is 60%, but the Minister announced that the state would vow a full compensation for the losses. He also informed that he had received the assurance of the EU Commissioner for Health and Consumer Policy John Dalli that our country will receive the EU maximum compensation because Bulgarian authorities have taken prompt and adequate measures. The amount of compensations will be based on the average market prices. If a cow costs BGN 1,000 but it brings BGN 300 profit, we will compensate the owner for the three months of quarantine, too and the total sum will be of BGN 1,900, Minister Naydenov said. Killing of animals is a grave act for the farmers in the village of Kosti, the minister said, but it is only way to stop the spread of the disease in the country.
The Minister said Bulgaria will ask from the European Commission to compensate not only the owners of the animals, but also milk, meat processors from the affected regions where trade and use of animals has been banned.These are about 64 plants processing milk and 92 meat facilities.Minister Naydenov gave as an example the UK, where similar compensations have been received in 2001 after a foot-and-mouth decease epidemic. EU legislation provides for the EC to cover up to 60% of all expenses.
The Minister urged business organizations to show understanding towards the measures taken by the Bulgarian authorities. Representatives from farmers branch organizations, dairy processors, meat producers and pig farmers attended the meeting of the crisis head