Podcast in English
Text size
Bulgarian National Radio © 2025 All Rights Reserved

Protest in Velingrad in support of farmers with flocks which tested positive for sheep and goat plague

A protest took place in Velingrad in support of the farmers whose flocks of sheep have been quarantined because of positive tests for sheep and goat plague. To stop the spread of the disease, access to the area around the farms has been restricted.

The protest is over a decision by the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency to euthanize the sheep because of positive tests for sheep and goat plague. On Thursday, agency officials took tests for the second time, with the samples once again returning positive. The farmers are contesting these results, saying that they have sent samples they have themselves taken to a licensed laboratory in Greece, and that they have retuned negative.

“The samples came back this afternoon – we took 300 tests, and they are 100% positive,” caretaker Minister of Agriculture Georgi Tahov on his part said at a briefing on Friday. “We have no doubts in the first or in the second tests,” Minister Tahov said. The state administration is ready to compensate the farmers affected fully after the animals are euthanized, to cover the disinfection of the facility and to provide other assistance. Minister Tahov stated further that caretaker PM Dimitar Glavchev had tasked him with holding negotiations with the farmers, owners of the sheep in question because there has been interference by a political force.

There is an enhanced police presence but the situation is calm.  



Последвайте ни и в Google News Showcase, за да научите най-важното от деня!
Listen to the daily news from Bulgaria presented in "Bulgaria Today" podcast, available in Spotify.

More from category

Rose picking has started in the region of Kazanlak

Rose picking has started in the rose gardens near Kazanlak, the municipality announced. Dozens of guests gathered in the rose gardens near the village of Kanchevo to learn about the traditions of growing oil-bearing roses and..

published on 5/25/25 12:25 PM
Nataliya Kiselova

Nataliya Kiselova expects Constitutional Court to put an end to dispute over the euro referendum

The Constitutional Court will partially allow the president's request, Speaker of the Parliament Nataliya Kiselova told BNT. The Constitutional Court is obliged to file a case. The dispute will be whether the request of the head of..

published on 5/25/25 12:14 PM
Director of

Theatre production of Bulgaria and North Macedonia wins three Askeer awards

Alessandro Baricco’s immortal story “Without Blood” in the theatrical adaptation by Alexander Sekulov won the Bulgarian “Askeer” theatre awards in three categories - for best performance, for direction and for costume design. The..

published on 5/25/25 10:48 AM