site.btaAnimal Breeders' Association Calls for National Vaccination Campaign to Address Sheep and Goat Pox Crisis


The United Bulgarian Stock Breeders Association, which represents 20 breeding organizations working with native Bulgarian breeds, is calling for an immediate nationwide preventive vaccination campaign for small ruminants in response to the growing sheep and goat pox outbreak, particularly in the southern Plovdiv Region. The appeal was made by Association head Boyko Sinapov in a statement to BTA on Tuesday.
"The Food Safety Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food are making every effort to contain the spread, but clearly, we are not managing. That is why our appeal, and our official declaration on behalf of all our members, is for the launch of a national-level vaccination campaign," Sinapov said.
He stressed that such action would help farmers preserve their herds, many of which belong to breeds listed in the national gene pool, with significant state investments already made in their preservation and recovery. According to Sinapov, farmers are willing to accept temporary restrictions on sales, as long as mass culling can be avoided.
"With this vaccination campaign, Bulgaria could set an example, protecting our animals and ensuring that we still have production in a year," he noted, adding that according to the latest data, vaccinated animals are safe for consumption.
Sinapov explained that only one breeding association, which specializes in imported dairy breeds that could be reintroduced to the country, opposes the vaccination effort. "But where will we recover our native breeds from?" he asked, citing examples such as the Middle Rhodope sheep, Karakachan sheep, Rhodope Tsigai, and Duben sheep.
He also announced that a national council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, at which the association hopes a decision will be made in favour of their proposal.
"If vaccination is approved, we will organize the process as quickly as possible. But if the proposal is rejected, we will firmly seek accountability because I know what the consequences will be in a month or two," Sinapov warned.
Earlier on Tuesday, the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) announced additional control measures in Plovdiv Region to manage the epizootic situation, particularly by restricting access to livestock facilities. The agency confirmed that the situation remains critical, with 54 outbreaks detected so far in the region, with the municipalities of Maritsa and Rakovski being the most severely affected. Approximately 3,000 animals have been affected.
/VE/
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