The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) successfully prevented an attempt to illegally transport animals and meat without the necessary documents, the institution announced. The incident is further evidence of the agency's ongoing efforts to protect public health and ensure food safety in the country.
The operation unfolded after a report from a "Border Police" officer about a minivan stopped near the "Kulata" border checkpoint. A team from the Regional Food Safety Directorate in Blagoevgrad responded swiftly, conducting an immediate on-site inspection.
During the thorough inspection, seven sheep and one goat (buck) were discovered, along with 20 kg of sheep meat cuts. All animals and meat products were without the mandatory identification and health markings, and accompanying veterinary documents were also missing. An additional violation was the fact that the vehicle itself was not registered for transporting live animals and food of animal origin.
Due to the serious risk of spreading infectious diseases, the official veterinarian on site ordered the animals to be euthanized and the meat destroyed according to established procedures. The driver of the vehicle did not escape sanctions and was issued an act for establishing an administrative violation.
The BFSA used the occasion to remind the public about the dangers associated with unregulated transportation of animals and products of animal origin. The lack of documents certifying the health status and origin of animals and meat poses a serious threat not only to human and animal health but also to the overall safety of the food chain.
In light of this incident, the agency appeals to citizens to be vigilant and report such violations and irregularities to the hotline 0700 122 99.
This case is not isolated. Earlier in the week, the Regional Directorate of the Ministry of Interior in Plovdiv reported a similar violation in the region. On August 11, around 4:00 PM, on the road between the villages of Skutare and Malak Chardak, a truck was stopped illegally transporting small ruminants.
These incidents occur against the backdrop of increased control measures in the Plovdiv region. The BFSA recently extended the measures to prevent the spread of sheep and goat pox in the area. The new order came into effect on August 5 and will be in force for 21 days.
Experts emphasize that strict control over the transport of animals and meat products is crucial for preventing epidemics and ensuring food safety. The BFSA continues to work diligently to protect public health and ensure compliance with veterinary and sanitary standards throughout the country.