The Minister of Agriculture Georgi Takhov held meetings with sheep breeders who had arrived from all over the country in Velingrad to protect with a live chain the flock of his colleague Georgi Iliev from the veterinary authorities who want to kill the animals because established outbreak of plague on small ruminants.
He told bTV that because of the tension that has arisen, the BABH will not proceed with the euthanasia of the herd for the time being. Since the sheep farmer in Velingrad doesn’t believe itthat his animals are sick, samples for testing will be sent to a European authorized laboratory. The chairman of the National Sheep and Goat Breeding Association Simeon Karakolev requested that the samples be taken in the presence of representatives from the branch.
Meanwhile, from BABH announced today at a press conferencethat samples from Iliev’s herd were sent to a French laboratory to find out whether the plague virus was imported from Greece or Romania.
Until the re-laboratory analysis is carried out and the results arrive, the animals cannot go out to pasture, and the owner must provide drinking water.
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**Given the potential for distrust between authorities and breeders, what steps can be taken to ensure transparency and build confidence in the decision-making process regarding animal health emergencies?**
## World Today News - Interview: The Velingrad Sheep Controversy
**Introduction:**
Welcome to World Today News. Today, we’re delving into the heated situation unfolding in Velingrad, Bulgaria, where sheep breeders are protesting the potential culling of a herd due to a suspected plague outbreak. We’re joined by two guests with contrasting perspectives on this complex issue:
* **Dr. Sofia Petrova**, a veterinarian and expert on animal diseases,
* ** Simeon Karakolev**, Chairman of the National Sheep and Goat Breeding Association, representing the sheep breeders.
**Section 1: The Outbreak and Testing (with Dr. Petrova)**
* **Moderator:** Dr. Petrova, can you explain the nature of the plague outbreak affecting small ruminants and its potential consequences if left unchecked?
* **Moderator:** What are the standard protocols for handling such outbreaks, especially when dealing with valuable livestock?
* **Moderator:** The article mentions samples being sent to a European laboratory for further analysis. Why is this step necessary, and what are the implications of these results?
**Section 2: The Sheep Breeders’ Perspective (with Simeon Karakolev)**
* **Moderator:** Mr. Karakolev, what are the concerns and motivations behind the sheep breeders’ resistance to the culling order?
* **Moderator:** The article mentions distrust in the initial diagnosis. Why do you think the sheep breeders doubt the findings, and what kind of evidence would convince them of the presence of the plague?
* **Moderator:** What are the economic and cultural implications for the sheep breeders if this herd is culled?
**Section 3: Finding a Solution (with both guests)**
* **Moderator:** Dr. Petrova, what are the possible alternatives to culling the entire herd? Are there any treatment options available, or measures to contain the spread of the disease without resorting to euthanasia?
* **Moderator:** Mr. Karakolev, what solutions would the National Sheep and Goat Breeding Association propose to address both the health concerns and the livelihood of the sheep breeders involved?
* **Moderator:** Looking forward, how can authorities and agricultural communities better collaborate to prevent and manage similar situations in the future?
**Conclusion:**
* The situation in Velingrad raises important questions about animal welfare, disease control, and the balance between public health and economic interests.
* We thank Dr. Petrova and Mr. Karakolev for sharing their insights and hope that this discussion contributes to a greater understanding of this complex issue.
By structuring the interview with open-ended questions and focusing on different perspectives, we can encourage a nuanced and engaging discussion about the Velingrad sheep controversy.
