"We demand the resignation of the management of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency for failing to address the problems, specifically the case with the infected sheep in Velingrad, the Co-chairman of the National Sheep and Goat Breeding Association Deyan Todorov said for the BNR. According to him, European directives should be changed so that entire herds are not destroyed in cases of low mortality and the presence of antibodies in the animals. ''The second option, which our country is not implementing, is to use emergency vaccination", Deyan Todorov said, adding that a plan should be developed to vaccinate all animals in the country.

''It has been confirmed multiple times that the animals in Velingrad are carriers of the sheep and goat plague virus, the Executive Director of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency Dr. Svetlozar Patarinski said in an interview with bTV. The outbreak of sheep and goat plague in Velingrad affects around 1,760 animals.  ''The animals were infected 14 to 20 days ago. They were initially treated by three private practice veterinarians sought by the owners themselves. After they were unable to cope, the veterinarian overseeing the farms sought the help of the state veterinarian in Pazardzhik'', said Dr. Svetlozar Patarinski.

• Sheep and goat herds in Yambol district to be tested for sheep plague and smallpox

  
  

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