site.btaAuthorities Shut Down Two More Slaughterhouses

The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) has shut down two slaughterhouses—one registered in the village of Gergevets near Sliven and an illegal one in Byala Slatina, the Agency said on Wednesday.

At the slaughterhouse in Gergevets, inspectors from the BFSA Central Office and the Regional Directorate for Food Safety in Sliven found serious violations of hygiene requirements, including mold and rust in the production areas, as well as a lack of necessary disinfectants.

A total of 185 kg of pork and meat products will be destroyed. They lack internal identification markings, which makes them untraceable.

The owner has been issued a compliance order and an administrative violation report. The slaughterhouse’s operations may resume after all non-compliances are corrected.

Inspectors from the Agency’s office in Vratsa discovered an unregistered livestock farm and an illegal meat processing facility on private property in the town of Byala Slatina. A garage had been equipped for the production of meat products. A total of 67 kg of meat preparations were found, seized, and directed for destruction at a rendering facility.

Two calves and one cow without identification were found on the farm. They are not allowed to leave the premises until the necessary veterinary medical tests are carried out. If the animals are clinically healthy, they will be registered and the movement ban will be lifted. Two pigs were also found whose origin cannot be traced. Due to the risk of swine fever, they will be slaughtered.

The owner has been instructed to register the livestock facility under the Veterinary Medical Activity Act.