European Union (EU) veterinary experts check the efficiency of the steps, taken by Bulgaria to combat the spreading of mad cow disease. No cases or symptoms of the mad cow disease, or bovine spongiform encephalopathy, have been detected in Bulgaria so far.The checks aim to verify that there is no threat of the disease spreading from Bulgaria and this if proved this will qualify Bulgaria a low-risk country. Since 2000, Bulgaria has banned imports of live cattle and beef products from the European Union countries, which had reported presence of mad cow diseases. This is the first of a series of five routine checks scheduled for this year. Missions are sent to all EU member and candidate countries, said Dr Yanko Ivanov, Director General of the National Veterinary Medical Service (NVMS). Until Friday, March 1 the inspectors will survey the country's compliance with all NVMS orders and instructions aimed to prevent the mad cow disease in Bulgaria. Animal feed production facilities and slaughterhouses are in the focus of the expert review, Ivanov said.

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