BG

PRIME MINISTER BORISSOV MET WITH THE EUROPEAN COMMISSIONER FOR HEALTH AND FOOD SAFETY VYTENIS ANDRIUKAITIS

10.09.2019

In Bulgaria we are taking all measures to limit the spread of the African swine fever disease, said Prime Minister Boyko Borissov during his meeting with the European Commissioner of Health and Food Safety Vytenis Andriukaitis. Prime Minister Borissov noted that a plan, prepared from the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry, is being implemented. The plan includes enhanced control of the border checkpoints, biosecurity measures in pig holdings, information campaign, disinfection of areas and products, ongoing epizootic surveillance, and reduction of the wild boar population.  

 

Prime Minister Borissov stressed that serious financial resources are being used to implement these measures in full force. The Prime Minister added that the Bulgarian government has allocated BGN 28 million in order to pay benefits and to implement measures to limit and eradicate the African swine fever disease on the territory of Bulgaria. In accordance with the European Commission procedure, a partial refinancing of the costs incurred is carried out. Prime Minister Borissov expressed his hope that the European Commission will start reimbursing the costs incurred by Bulgaria in managing various animal diseases, including the African Swine Fever, as soon as possible. 

 

According to Prime Minister Boyko Borissov the spread of ASF is not only a regional, but also a global problem, which brings huge losses for the countries concerned, and which can have a lasting impact not only on a particular sector, but on entire economies and trade partnerships. For this reason, the Prime Minister considers it extremely important to coordinate actions in the fight against ASF in Europe. Prime Minister Borissov expressed confidence, that the expert meeting on ASF, hosted in Sofia, would contribute to the development of a Global Strategy for the control and eradication of African swine fever worldwide.