The results of the samples taken from the infected herds near Velingrad are 100% reliable and have been confirmed with a second test, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Deyan Stratev said an interview with public service broadcaster BNT. In his words, the Greek private laboratory where farmers sent samples from their animals does not have the necessary certification to prove that the results are valid.

The National Reference Laboratory is included in the European Union's list of laboratories that can diagnose diseases such as the sheep and goat plague found in Velingrad, Deputy Minister Stratev assured. ''There is one last option, which involves sending samples to the European Reference Laboratory, but they must first be processed in our national laboratory", Deyan Stratev added.

Deyaan Stratev also said that the affected animals had been unsuccessfully treated by private veterinarians and the doctor in charge of the farm was then contacted. According to him, the disease was likely transmitted through an unauthorized import of animals.

More than 700,000 BGN (EUR 350,000) will be provided to compensate the affected farmers.

• Protest in Velingrad in support of farmers with flocks which tested positive for sheep and goat plague

  
  

• Tension in Velingrad due to a suspected outbreak of sheep and goat plague