Over 100 scrap metal companies briefly blocked the Bulgarian-Turkish border at Kapitan Andreevo and threatened to remain there if the government ignored their protest, Monday.

The business owners protest against the new law entering into force today. As of Monday, it is officially prohibited for physical persons to sell scrap to the licensed companies, Darik news reports. Traders will be able to purchase non-ferrous metals and scrap iron solely from companies, which must provide a document of origin. Physical persons will now have to deposit their scrap metal or old appliances at the municipal scrapyards for free.

According to the calculations by the industry, nearly 600,000 Bulgarians are actively involved in the business with scrap and will therefore lose their income.

With this law the government is privatizing the business, as only municipalities are allowed to work with physical persons which is unconstitutional, the protesters claimed, as quoted by Darik news.