A blue tongue knocks on the door: Farmers demand urgent action

Veterinary authorities here must immediately prepare to combat bluetongue disease, which has already been registered in neighboring countries – Greece and North Macedonia. This warning was issued by Simeon Karakolev, co-chair of the National Sheep and Goat Association (NOSA), who believes that prevention must begin before an outbreak is established in Bulgaria. "We must immediately order and deliver a vaccine against bluetongue. The vaccines should be distributed to doctors and as soon as the first outbreak is located here, a circular vaccination should begin. There are still no indications for ordering vaccines and starting a campaign," Karakolev emphasized. At a meeting of the Central Epizootic Council scheduled for today (July 28), Karakolev will propose not only readiness for an emergency circular vaccination but also the activation of a disaster intervention to compensate the farmers. "The idea is for the state to restore 50% of the value of the animals that farmers will buy ...