Bulgarian Farmers to Receive Full Compensations for FMD Losses

Bulgaria's Agriculture Minister, Miroslav Naydenov, says foot-and-mouth decease is not harmful for people and dismissed fears it can spread through milk and meat sold in grocery stores. Photo by BGNES

Farmers from the Bulgarian village of Kosti, whose animals were slaughtered over cases of foot-and-mouth disease will receive full compensations.

The statement was made Tuesday by Agriculture Minister, Miroslav Naydenov, after a meeting with farmers and milk producers.

Naydenov says Bulgaria will ask from the European Commission to compensate not only the owners of the animals, but also milk, meat and hide processors from the affected regions where trade and use of animals has been banned.

These are about 64 plants processing milk and 92 meat facilities.

Naydenov gave as an example the UK, where similar compensations have been received in 2001 after a foot-and-mouth decease epidemic. EU legislation provides for the EC to cover up to 60% of all expenses.

Farmers will be reimbursed for the cost of the animal and three months of profits from it, while all expenses for the elimination of the disease would be undertaken by the cabinet.

The Minister informed that out of 1 600 tests in the Burgas region, 12 goats, 14 sheep and a cow have been positive, meaning all 500 animals in Kosti must be killed

Kosti is under quarantine for 3 months while restrictions in other areas are subject to change at any time.

Naydenov explained the foot-and-mouth decease is not harmful for people and dismissed fears it can spread through milk and meat sold in grocery stores.

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