site.btaConference on Measures against Animal Cruelty Takes Place in Sofia

An international conference on effective solutions for animal protection was held on Monday in Sofia. It was organized by Bulgarian MEP Emil Radev of GERB/EPP, Vice-Chair of the European Parliament Intergroup on the Welfare and Conservation of Animals.

The event was attended by Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev, acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov, MPs, representatives of the Interior Ministry and various experts. European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Oliver Varhelyi gave a video address.

In March and April, protests erupted after two individuals from Pernik were arrested for torturing and killing animals in particularly cruel ways, filming the acts and selling the videos.

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov noted that the government responded quickly to recent incidents of animal cruelty and immediately drafted legislative amendments, which, along with other proposals, have already passed on first reading in the National Assembly.

Justice Minister Georgi Georgiev highlighted the role of prevention and non-government organizations. "The problem cannot be solved with a single measure. It calls for work on prevention," he said.

Acting Prosecutor General Borislav Sarafov reported that more than 300 people have been prosecuted for animal cruelty in the past five years, yet the real figure is likely higher because many incidents go unreported or occur online. Law-enforcement bodies must improve electronic evidence gathering, he added.

Bulgarian Veterinary Union Chair Dimitar Tsankov declared that veterinary specialists are a direct witness to the suffering of animals and a key partner in the building of adequate policies and mechanisms for prevention and control. The Bulgarian Veterinary Union supports efforts for the establishment of a working legislative framework, which would unite the public commitment and institutional responsibility in animal protection, he added.

European Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare Oliver Varhelyi said that animal cruelty has no place anywhere in the world, and it should not be tolerated by anyone. He pointed out that the first EU rules on this topic were adopted 50 years ago and noted the importance of improving the enforcement of the rules that are now in place.