site.btaBulgaria, France Deepen Scientific Cooperation in Food Safety, Stock-Breeding

Bulgaria, France Deepen Scientific Cooperation in Food Safety, Stock-Breeding

Sofia, February 29 (BTA) - The Bulgarian Agriculture and Food Ministry and France's National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) will deepen their scientific cooperation in the sphere of food safety, it was agreed at a meeting between Deputy Agriculture and Food Minister Tsvetan Dimitrov and INRA President Francois Houllier in Paris on Monday. The two sides signed a framework agreement on cooperation to this effect, the Agriculture and Food Ministry reported.

Dimitrov proposed the establishment of joint research structures and training of agricultural producers, which is important for the deepening of the cooperation between the two countries and within the EU.

The Deputy Agriculture Minister also conferred with European Federation of Animal Science (EAAP) President Philippe Chemineau. Dimitrov got acquainted with the EAAP's structure and organization and discussed with its President the spheres of cooperation through exchange of scientific works, research and experts from the Executive Agency for Selection and Reproduction in Stock-Breeding, the Animal Science Institute and Bulgarian universities.

Within the Paris International Agricultural Show, Deputy Minister Dimitrov met with Jean-Luc Chauvel, President of ROM Selection within France's Collectif des Races de Massifs (CORAM). It was agreed that the French association will present new breeds of sheep at the 13th National Stock-breeding Exhibition in Sliven (Southeastern Bulgaria) this year, as the first step in the presentation of its sheep breeds in Bulgaria.

The initiative is part of an agreement on cooperation and development of sheep breeding between the branch organizations of Bulgaria and France. The goal is to achieve a successful cross-breed between Bulgarian and French sheep breeds that can be bred in Bulgaria for meat production and export to the French market.

At the meeting in Paris, the two sides also agreed on deepening their cooperation through joint projects in the sphere of stock-breeding. Bulgarian farmers will be able to visit French farms for training and exchange of experience.

The implementation of such a sheep-breeding project is aimed at popularizing this sector in Bulgaria, Deputy Minister Dimitrov said. According to him, the construction of a module farm for sheep breeding will create the opportunity for conducting demonstrations, trainings and breeding activity.