Bulgaria, Greece, Romania call for joint action against livestock diseases
Sheep and goat plague and bluetongue spreading in the Balkans – Three countries agree to coordinate measures
Bulgaria, Greece, and Romania have held a joint online meeting to address the growing spread of livestock diseases across the Balkan Peninsula in recent months.
According to Kırcaalihaber, participants included Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture and Food Dr. Georgi Tahov, Romanian Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Violeta Musat, Greek Ministry of Agriculture and Food Secretary General Spiros Protopsaltis, as well as senior veterinary officials from all three countries.
The main agenda focused on the rapid spread of sheep and goat plague (peste des petits ruminants) and bluetongue disease. Minister Tahov stressed that cooperation and the sharing of expertise are essential for an effective response:
“I invited you to this meeting so that we can exchange experiences and best practices, and discuss proposals for faster coordination between our countries. Our goal is to combat these diseases more effectively.”
Current situation by country:
Bulgaria: 106 outbreaks detected in five regions; around 11,000 small ruminants affected.
Greece: 600 outbreak sites recorded in regions under a state of emergency; 183,000 animals culled.
Romania: 19 outbreaks with around 8,000 animals culled in 40 days.
Authorities highlighted illegal livestock transport as the main threat to containment efforts. Measures already in place include livestock movement restrictions, quarantine zones, disinfection procedures, and sample collection. Minister Tahov noted that changes in border controls following Bulgaria’s accession to the Schengen Area have created additional risks, calling for stricter checks and joint cross-border operations to curb illegal animal movements.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to strengthen cooperation and information exchange between veterinary services. The three countries will establish a joint veterinary working group to safeguard animal health and ensure the stability of the agricultural sector.
