Bulgarian Dairy, Meat Firms Reluctant to Sell to EU

Politics » BULGARIA IN EU | January 9, 2007, Tuesday // 00:00

Only four Bulgarian companies - two dairies and two meat producers - have filed applications to be granted a certificate for selling on the common European market.

The Agriculture Ministry announced that all applicants will be subject to strict inspection visits by both Bulgarian authorities and the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO).

A few days before Bulgaria and Romania joined the Union, on January 1, EU food safety experts have tightened rules on Bulgaria and Romania to restrict their milk, meat and animal exports.

Under the new measures the dispatch to other member states of meat and milk products will be restricted to those Bulgarian establishments, which are currently authorised to export to the EU.

So far, 34 dairy and 26 meat companies of Bulgaria have been approved for marketing in the EU countries. The interest has marked a dramatic slump after the European Commission postponed the full access of uncertified diary and meat firms from Bulgaria for a period of one year.

All meat and milk processing companies which applied for approval will be inspected by the Bulgarian veterinary authorities between January 9 and 15. The approved ones will be inspected by the EU Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) between January 22 and February 2. It will check on the implementation of EU law by the companies making meat and milk products, as well as on the control exercised by the National Veterinary Service.

A second FVO mission will evaluate border control of the import and transit of products of animal origin and livestock from February 15 to 26.

The mission will inspect warehouse facilities, customs warehouses, approved exporters to the EU and companies not approved so far. The Commission experts will check the traceability of raw materials imported before January 1 from third countries.

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