The Supreme Administrative Court (SAC) put a final end to the dispute regarding the import and breeding of American mink in Bulgaria, confirming the ban imposed by the Ministry of Environment and Water (MoEW) in 2022. This decision, published on the court's official website, marks an important moment in the protection of Bulgarian nature and biodiversity.
Two years ago, when the MoEW order was initially issued, it was challenged by "Farmpro" Ltd. - owners of the only mink farm in the country. However, the SAC rejected the appeal and upheld the ministry's original decision.
In addition to confirming the ban, the court ordered "Farmpro" Ltd. to pay legal costs of 1200 leva to the Association "Campaigns and Activism for Animals in Industry" and 200 leva to the MoEW for the cassation instance.
The ban imposed by the MoEW is not absolute and provides measures to mitigate the economic impact on affected parties. The order allows for the realization of the commercial value of already bred animals, which gives investors the opportunity to minimize potential losses.
Scientific evidence and ecological risks
The SAC's decision is based on solid scientific evidence of the potential ecological risks associated with the American mink. The magistrates emphasize that the species is already permanently settled in Bulgaria and poses a serious threat to local fauna, especially around water bodies.
Experts point out that the American mink is a direct competitor to protected species such as the otter, which is a vulnerable species with high protection status according to the Bern Convention and the EU Habitats Directive. Moreover, the presence of the mink also threatens the European polecat, whose status in Bulgaria is unclear due to a lack of current population data.
The court also draws attention to the impact of the American mink on other vulnerable species, including the water vole, yellow-bellied toad, four-lined snake, European pond turtle, great crested newt, and various invertebrates.
Particularly worrying is the fact that, according to the expert opinion cited by the SAC, no pressure from other predators on the American mink has been registered. This means that the species has no natural enemies in the Bulgarian ecosystem, which could lead to rapid spread and colonization of the entire country.
Arguments and public interest
In response to the arguments of "Farmpro" Ltd., the court emphasizes that the principle of proportionality was not violated in issuing the order. The magistrates argue that the protection of nature and biodiversity is of greater public interest compared to the economic interests of a single investor.
This SAC decision is expected to have a long-term impact on the protection of Bulgarian nature and serve as a precedent for future cases related to invasive species and environmental legislation in the country.