The following measures for prevention, control and eradication of animal diseases shall be applied in the implementation of animal health control:
• clinical examinations, diagnostic tests and epidemiological studies;
• laboratory researches;
• immunoprophylaxis and chemoprophylaxis;
• chemotherapy and immunotherapy;
• quarantine;
• insulation;
• prohibition;
• destruction of animals and germinal products, raw materials and food of animal origin, feed materials, feed additives, compound feed and equipment that cannot be disinfected;
• disposal or destruction of animal by-products;
• diagnostic slaughter;
• sanitary slaughter;
• disinfection, disinsection, deratization and devastation;
• creation of protection zones to limit the spread of animal diseases;
• sanitary shooting of wild animals.
Every year the BFSA prepares a state prevention program and a list of infectious diseases.
The BFSA prepares national programs for epidemiological surveillance of certain communicable diseases, and the Minister of Agriculture and Food approves these programs.
All contagious animal diseases established on the territory of Bulgaria must be registered. The measures for dealing with a contagious disease when it appears are determined by an order of the Executive Director of the BFSA.
In case of particularly dangerous infectious diseases, the spread of which can cause significant economic losses, the measures are introduced on part or all of the country at the proposal of the BFSA Executive Director by order of the Minister of Agriculture and Food agreed with the Minister of Interior. .
Permanent epizootic commissions for the implementation of animal health measures are established at the district governors and the mayors of municipalities.
The health control is carried out both on the activity of the veterinarians registered for veterinary medical practice and in the following sites of epizootic significance:
• livestock farms;
• sites for processing and disposal of animal by-products;
• landfills;
• carcass collection sites and carcass pits for animals; germination and storage centers for germinal products;
• sites for production, trade and storage of feed raw materials, feed additives, premixes and compound feeds; • pastures and watering places; markets and venues where exhibitions and competitions with animals are held;
• means of transport for animals, animal by-products and derived products, feed materials, feed additives and compound feed;
• places where wild animals are kept; sites for extraction, processing and storage of raw materials and food of animal origin.
The control over the healthcare is carried out through:
veterinary inspections in the above-mentioned sites and the documentation in them; clinical examinations, killing and autopsies of animals for diagnostic purposes; taking and sending materials for laboratory tests; issuance of veterinary medical documents; imposing measures for prevention, control and eradication of animal diseases and notifying the interested individuals and legal entities; application of coercive administrative measures; conducting an epidemiological study to determine the causes of the disease.
The owners of farm animals are obliged to inform the veterinarian servicing the livestock farm about the changes in the number of animals. Also to present within three days to the veterinarian a veterinary certificate for the acquired animals, and for large ruminants and equidae – and a veterinary passport.
Animal owners are obliged to provide their animals for identification, vaccination and diagnostic tests and to keep a diary in which the veterinarian serving the site records the treatment and prevention activities.
The duties of the owner of the animals include the immediate notification of the veterinarian who serves the livestock farm for changes in the health status of the animals, for an emergency slaughter and for dead animals. The owner is obliged to provide access to the livestock farm and the animals to the veterinarian who serves them and to build and maintain the livestock farm in accordance with the veterinary medical requirements.
The mayors of municipalities, districts and mayoralties must assist in the implementation of prevention measures for the registration of livestock farms, as well as for the reduction and eradication of infectious animal diseases. Also to zoning pastures and watering places depending on the epizootic situation, and if necessary prohibit their use. The mayors are obliged to take measures to prevent animals on the territory of the landfills and to organize the collection of animal carcasses and the construction of carcass pits and collection sites.
The owners and keepers of animals, as well as the managers of livestock farms are obliged to take care of the animals and not to abandon them, to provide each animal, depending on its species, age and breed, with habitat and conditions tailored to its needs, the necessary space and freedom of movement, sufficient food and water. Animals must also have free access to feeding and watering areas and be provided with regular preventive veterinary care and immediate treatment for illness or injury.
Inhumane treatment of animals, such as causing pain, fear, torture and others, is prohibited.
Animal experiments are performed when it is not possible to apply alternative methods. These experiments are carried out in order to develop and manufacture safe veterinary and human medicinal products, food and food additives and feed and feed additives.
Animal experiments are carried out in experimental bases of research institutes, manufacturing companies, laboratories, secondary and higher schools after obtaining permission from the Executive Director of the BFSA.
The slaughter of animals is carried out in the fastest way, after stunning, which provides complete loss of consciousness and sensitivity for the entire period of bleeding. Slaughter of farm animals kept for meat and raw materials that have been treated for non-communicable diseases is allowed, but the treatment is ineffective or economically unprofitable. Also for the eradication of infectious diseases or for religious rituals of registered religions.
The killing of animals is carried out in a humane manner and is allowed in the eradication of infectious diseases, rodent control, human attack and self-defense.
Animals shall be transported under conditions guaranteeing their health, physiological and behavioral needs in specially equipped vehicles. The carriers have received a license from the BFSA for transportation, for short or long trips.
The BFSA constantly cooperates with all agencies and societies for the protection of animal rights and carries out independent and joint inspections on their signals.
You can find up-to-date information about this field of activity HERE.
Source: [16] Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) -Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) (bfsa.bg)