site.btaVeterinary Union, Food Safety Agency Join Forces Against Animal Diseases

At a meeting here on Monday, Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) Executive Director Svetlozar Patarinski and Bulgarian Veterinary Union head Dimitar Tsankov signed an agreement and a template for an individual contract between registered vets and regional food safety directorates. The agreement puts an emphasis on the implementation of the National Programme for Fighting Animal Diseases (2025-2027), the Bulgarian Veterinary Union reported.

The new individual contract, which is about to be signed in the coming days, will be in effect until 2027. It determines the order of implementation of the measures under the National Programme for Regular Checkups, Supervision, Control and Elimination of Animal Diseases and Zoonoses.

The Programme, adopted by the Council of Ministers on December 12, 2024, aims to protect the life of animals and people in Bulgaria as well as to guarantee the free movement of animals and animal products within the EU. The Programme covers preventive, supervisory and control measures as well as activities for eliminating animal diseases, including zoonoses of importance for Bulgaria and the EU. The document includes state funding, maintenance of diagnostics readiness in case of suspected epizootic diseases, and preventive measures the cost of which is covered by the animals' owners. 

By signing an agreement, the BFSA and the Bulgarian Veterinary Union agree on a better coordination of their joint work. The Agency, as a competent body that imposes the measures, will work closely with the Union, whose members - registered veterinarians - will implement the activities required.

In their statements, Patarinski and Tsankov expressed certainty that despite the challenges of the difficult epizootic situation in Bulgaria, the veterinary community will put maximum efforts into handling the crisis and preventing the spread of dangerous infectious diseases.