site.btaNational Sheep and Goat Breeders’ Association Declares Protest Readiness over Lack of Livestock Vaccination

The National Sheep and Goat Breeders’ Association (NOKA) has announced protest readiness, giving the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Georgi Tahov, a deadline of Monday, October 7, to make an immediate decision on vaccination against sheep and goat pox. If no decision is made, a national protest is scheduled for October 10, according to a statement from the organization received by BTA Wednesday.

“If such a decision is not made, NOKA will welcome Commissioner Hansen with blocked roads and burning coffins,” the statement said.

EU Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen, is expected in Bulgaria on October 9–10 to participate in discussions on the Common Agricultural Policy 2028–2034.

The decision to declare protest readiness was unanimously approved by NOKA’s Management Board during an extraordinary meeting. According to the association, some farmers have already vaccinated more than 30,000 sheep, others are hesitant due to concerns about milk prices, and the majority, waiting for state-led vaccination, are losing animals, income, and hope.

NOKA’s other demands include recalculation and payment of adequate compensation to all affected farmers, declaration of force majeure for sheep and goat owners regarding limited measures under Campaign 2025, and tax exemptions for 2025 and 2026 for owners of euthanized animals.

“The excessive indecision regarding the vaccination of sheep and goats is negatively affecting farmers,” NOKA co-chair Simeon Karakolev told BTA last week.