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Fifty percent of the producers of alcoholic beverages in Bulgaria operate in the grey sector, according to Plamen Mollov, Chair of the National Vine and Wine Chamber. Photo by BGNES
Fifty percent of the producers of alcoholic beverages in Bulgaria operate in the grey sector, according to Plamen Mollov, Chair of the National Vine and Wine Chamber.
Mollov attended Wednesday the opening of the 2013 edition of the Wine and Vine Expo Vinaria.
Speaking at the opening of the wine expo, he told journalists that a large portion of the alcohol consumed in Bulgaria was produced in an unregulated environment.
He suggested that over 150 000 tonnes out of a grape harvest of over 350 000 tonnes disappeared, with no information as to whether it was consumed at home or offered on the market illegally.
Mollov, as cited by the Focus news agency, declared that the unaccounted-for alcohol went to village pubs, local pubs and all inclusive systems, or was sold at highways and roads.
The Chair of the National Vine and Wine Chamber emphasized that sellers of illegal alcohol provided no guarantees for the safety of their product, given that home-distilled alcohol carried a risk of methanol poisoning
He went on to stress the need for planned and systematic inspections to ensure proper control over the production of alcoholic beverages.
Mollov told journalists that cauldron manufacturers could supply information about producers of illegal alcohol.
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