Brussels Shuts Down Nearly 70 Bulgarian Companies

The Bulgarian milk, sausages, cold cuts, and cheeses have equal rights in the European Union as of January 1, 2010. Photo by BGNES

A total of sixty-seven Bulgarian companies in the meat and milk processing sector have failed to meet the requirements of the European Union and face closure, the agriculture ministry announced.

The grace period that the European Commission granted to 585 Bulgarian companies in the sector so that they have time to raise their standards up to Brussels requirements, expired at the end of last year. Sixty-seven companies have failed to do so.

Experts point out that the shut-down companies may be given a new lease of life if they come to meet the requirements in the future. The only other condition will be a new registration at the National Veterinary-Medical Service.

The Bulgarian sausages, cold cuts, and cheeses have equal rights in the European Union as of January 1, 2010.

About five hundred Bulgarian meat and milk processing factories have been able to fulfill European requirements. Those that remain below the norm have failed to obtain the necessary funds for the modernization of their buildings and processing lines due to the financial crisis.

Nearly BGN 400 M have been invested in the food industry, including money from the EU SAPARD program.

The meat and milk processing enterprises still face some major hurdles such as the illegal shops, not listed anywhere and thus never checked by veterinarians, the low quality and quantity of local milk over the problems faced by farmers, and lack of State control.

However, the fact that the Competition Protection Commission had began court procedures about cartels in the food industry is deemed a sign the State is finally making attempts to control the market, despite the still populist character of the measures.

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