The Bulgarian National Veterinary Service has announced that the logo for the state standard for meat, “Stara Planina”, is ready.

“The logo consists of a green circle and mountain ridges in the colors of the Bulgarian flag,” the head of the Veterinary Service, Yordan Voynov, told the Bulgarian National Radio.

The logo is owned by the Association of Meat Processors in Bulgaria. They have announced that the state standard for meat could be used after paying the annual tax, which is BGN 120.

The products under the “Stara Planina” state standard should not include soybean, potato starch, fibers or mechanically recovered meat.

“There will be a constant presence of experts in the enterprises, at least in the beginning. They will be present at the time of the production, so that they can make sure that there are no violations,” said Diliyana Popova from the Association of Meat Processors in Bulgaria.

The Bulgarian state standard (BDS) was recently reintroduced after being abolished in 1998 with the argument that Bulgaria had to harmonize its regulations with those of the EU.

After the introduction of BDS for Bulgarian yogurt, now people will be able to enjoy “real” meat products.

The “Stara Planina” state standard includes the exact requirements for some meat products, like minced meat, grilled oblong rissole, meatball, sausage and some boiled and smoked meat products.

It is expected the products under the state standard to be more expensive than the others.

“Minced meat, which is in proportion 60:40 pork to veal, will cost about BGN 8. Minced meat from pure meat cannot cost BGN 4,” the Bulgarian Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naydenov has said.

The BDS for meat will not mandatory but rather recommendable, just like the already implemented state standard for Bulgarian yogurt.

However, yogurt produced under the state standard is not offered by any Bulgarian company yet.