September 7, 2006

Bulgarian pork could be banned once it gains EU membership

Bulgarian pork could soon be banned unless its government can prove it could control the increased outbreaks of Classical Swine fever (CSF) in the country, according to a new USDA GAIN report.

The report comes after a third outbreak this year of the disease was diagnosed in a village in Southeast Bulgaria, raising concerns the disease is becoming more prevalent.

Bulgaria could face further restrictions on its exports if it fails to convince an upcoming EU veterinary survey of its ability to handle outbreaks.

The country may gain full EU membership on Jan 1, 2007. Once it does, the EU could even ban the sale of Bulgaria's pork products even in Bulgaria itself.

The disease is highly contagious and can survive in non-cooked meat products, said Ian Campbell of the national pig association, adding that if waste food containing the disease is fed back to pigs, those pigs would likely catch the disease too

The report also highlighted concerns on the lack of agreement between the industry, government and EU over vaccination.

Even though vaccines for CSF are available, it has been banned by the EU due to fears it may mask the disease in pigs, making it harder to diagnose. 

However, some parts of Bulgaria are producing and selling the vaccine and there are worries that farmers, especially those near the affected areas, may have already bought and used them.

Despite these fears, the report noted that Bulgaria may be able to avoid a country-wide ban if the disease can be limited to a specific region, as it is now.