site.btaPresident Radev, Competent Authorities Discuss Measures for Managing African Swine Fever Crisis

123 POLITICS - PRESIDENT RADEV - AFRICAN SWINE FEVER

President Radev, Competent Authorities
Discuss Measures for Managing
African Swine Fever Crisis

July 31 (BTA) - President Rumen Radev and representatives of the institutions involved in the effects to contain an outbreak of African Swine Fever (ASF) in Bulgaria, discussed the risks, financial and social consequences, as well as the measures taken so far.

At the start of Wednesday's meeting, which was held on his initiative, Radev said that it is crucial for the State to demonstrate responsibility and its capability to deal with the ASF outbreak because it impacts not only the animal breeding sector but almost all Bulgarians, especially the thousands who rely on the animals in their backyard farms for their livelihood.

The President said that this crisis is "merely a part of the general critical situation in the country," listing ongoing issues, including a National Revenue Agency data breach, what he called "the legally and financially disadvantageous" deal for purchase of F-16 fighters and a controversial procedure for nomination of a new prosecutor general with a single candidate, which has triggered street protests.

"We all know that in Bulgaria the disgruntled people always outnumber the protesting people," Radev commented.

The head of State said he expects more information from the competent institutions, as well as to discus the measures for overcoming the financial, environmental and social aspects of the crisis.

Radev argued that the problem can only be solved with the joint efforts of all institutions, the local authorities, businesses, sectoral organizations and associations, as well as all citizens, who expect an honest information campaign.

Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev, who took part in the meeting, said that the problem is not only related to the responsibilities of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) and the Agriculture and Food Ministry. "Most of the State's apparatus is in fact responsible for resolving this difficult situation," Donchev added.

Agriculture Minister Dessislava Taneva said that the first case of ASF in Bulgaria was registered in 2018, after which a national strategic action plan was adopted. The measures implemented by Bulgaria are in accordance with the European ASF Control Strategy, adopted in 2015.

A total of 26 ASF hotspots been registered among backyard pigs, five in industrial pig farms, and 26 individual cases among wild boar.

The meeting was also attended by the Environment and Water Minister Neno Dimov, Interior Minister Mladen Marinov, Deputy Defence Minister Atanas Zapryanov, State Agency for National Security chief Dimiter Georgiev and the Executive Director of the Food Safety Agency, Damyan Iliev.

It transpired during the day that Minister Marinov has ordered tighter control along the main roads in response to the ASF outbreaks. Speaking to journalists in Parliament, he said that the police will be on the lookout for unregulated animal transport. Marinov explained that his Ministry will take all the measures demanded by the Ministry of Agriculture and will cooperate with the BFSA.

Marinov also noted the importance of observing all restrictions in the zones, where affected animals must be culled and buried. IG/MY
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