site.btaAgriculture Minister: No Plans for Vaccination of Small Ruminants Against Smallpox

No vaccination of small ruminants against smallpox will be carried out, Agriculture Minister Georgi Tahov said at a press conference here on Thursday. Attendees included the Chief State Veterinary Inspector, the Executive Director of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, the Director of the Center of Risk Assessment on the Food Chain, and representatives from the Agriculture Minister's team. They presented data on the development of the disease and the rationale behind the decision.

Tahov thanked the entire team for their professionalism, commitment and confidence in this situation, emphasizing that such decisions cannot be made under pressure or in an emotional state, and should not be rushed. He added that such decisions should be based solely on science, experience and facts, all of which should serve the interests of Bulgarian livestock farming.

Tahov pointed out that the decision was backed by experts and veterinarians. He also noted that this position is supported by most farmers in the livestock sector, as well as processors, and therefore has real grounds. He added that the peak of the disease has already passed and explained that the incidence of the disease is declining and the outbreaks to date are limited to the areas where it has already been established. He added that all of this is the result of consistent work and the measures that have been implemented so far.

The Minister confirmed that the decision is professionally justified and has been agreed with the European institutions. “A minister's responsibility is not to seek the easy solution, but the right one. The right solution must be based on science, not the constant noise created by the system”, Tahov pointed out.