August 2, 2007

 

EC finds deficiencies in Bulgaria's handling of swine diseases

 

 

The European Commission discovered inadequacies in Bulgaria's eradication of classical swine fever (CSF) on its comprehensive inspection it conducted in the country last June.

 

According to the US Department of Agriculture, these findings will limit Bulgaria's pork shipments after September this year when the current ban expires. The EC inspectors said Bulgaria has not properly implemented EU's rules concerning animal health issues, thus, the negative outcome of the inspections. The USDA report says EC has found the country doesn't have a reliable information system about CSF virus circulation and traceability is lacking. The EC also said illegal hog vaccinations were rampant and veterinarians are not well-equipped.

 

However, the Bulgarian Agriculture Ministry quickly refuted EC's claims, stating their findings were based "biased attitudes and unjustified conclusions". The ministry said out of the 3,000 samples taken from pigs in the affected areas, no CSF virus was found though there were antibodies found in 130 samples in Shoumen area and 28 in Yambol area. The ministry also said two vaccinations were done in 2006 and two this year -- the first one was in June and one in October. Following EC regulations, the ministry's veterinary office has made a demonstrative shutdown of one of the largest illegal pork farms near Yambol area. The vet office said this farm has existed for 19 years near the town garbage depot and uses waste for pig feed. The office added that no central authorities have been able to close it by far.

 

The USDA reports that over the last three years, Bulgaria's pork industry has progressed. In 2006, output reached 78,000 tonnes or 4.2 percent in 2005, and is seen to increase by 79,000 tonnes this year. Pork accounts fifty percent of Bulgaria's meat market.

 

The Bulgarian pork industry is not a recipient of domestic support programmes but it has a subsidy of 2.50 euros per culled pig under the EUROP system to encourage swine farming in the country. Last year, around 36,000 pigs were subsidised with 450,000 euros as part of the country's national genetic stud programme.

 

The country has stopped CSF vaccination on January 2006 as agreed with the EC, according to the USDA. Several outbreaks has since occurred in Bourgas, Shoumen and Yambol and this year, CSF again hit these areas except for Bourgas. EC has since barred Bulgarian pork from exports and only heat-treated pig meat is allowed for shipment.

 

By these findings, the USDA reports there are three likely scenarios for inter-EU pork trade after September 2007:

 

1. A complete ban on use of Bulgarian fresh pork - not only in the common market, but in the local market as well.  In this situation, all marketable local pork must be heat-treated.  Fresh pork in the local market (including pork for processing without heat treatment) should be imported.  This is the negative option;

 

2. An extension of the current ban on Bulgarian pork for six or more months, or the same as the current situation;

 

3. Regionalisation or compartmentalization of CSF.  This third scenario is the most optimistic but not very likely at this point.

 

The EC will again conduct another inspection by September/October.

 

However, experts say regardless of the EC decision, Bulgaria should still be able to hurdle challenges such as high meat prices, projected excess slaughter, high meat prices and government support.