The Ministry of Environment and Water (MOEW) held a working meeting with representatives of various competent institutions to outline measures for more effective investigation and prevention of the illegal use of poisons and poisoned baits in the wild. The discussion was prompted by the recent discovery of a toxic substance within the Central Balkan National Park, the ministry's press office stated.

The constructive dialogue involved key experts, including representatives from the Ecology Sector of the Economic Police Department at the General Directorate of National Police, the Association of Prosecutors in Bulgaria, the Vulture Conservation Foundation, as well as teams from the MOEW and the National Nature Protection Service Directorate. Participants noted that addressing these types of offenses requires full synchronization of actions — from preventive measures and early detection of irregularities to the process of proving guilt and imposing criminal liability.

One of the main focuses of the meeting was the need for the placement of poisoned baits to be precisely addressed under criminal law. In this regard, the MOEW and the Association of Prosecutors in Bulgaria will work on joint proposals to update the criminal law framework and the penalty system. Closer specialization in the investigation of such crimes is also planned, accompanied by targeted training for Ministry of Interior and prosecution staff. Parallel to this, practical training will continue for veterinary specialists, regional environmental inspection employees, and national park teams.

The parties also discussed the possibility of creating an inter-institutional coordination mechanism involving the MOEW, the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency, and the Prosecutor's Office. It is envisioned that the scope of this mechanism will go beyond protected species and cover environmental crimes in their entirety. An important part of the strategy is addressing human-predator conflicts, which often underlie the setting of poisons that threaten non-target species. Awareness campaigns are being planned for local communities regarding preventive measures and compensation options for damages caused by wild animals.

Miroslav Kalugerov, Director of the National Nature Protection Service Directorate, emphasized the gravity of the problem:

  • "Poison left in nature does not choose its victim. It can affect rare and protected species, domestic animals, and humans, and create risks for soil and water. Therefore, there must be a swift reaction and real accountability for such actions."

These efforts hold particular weight given the progress made over the last two decades in restoring vulture populations in our country. Bulgaria is already preparing to host the European Vulture Conference in the autumn of 2027 in Plovdiv, which is expected to bring together nearly 400 delegates from 55 countries. Organizing the event is both an opportunity to showcase achievements and a significant responsibility to the international community. In support of these efforts, the "Green Balkans" organization has already provided the Ministry of Interior with detailed information on all documented cases of vulture poisoning in recent years.