Some Animal Welfare Issues in Bulgaria Vocational High School of Veterinary Medicine Dobrich, Bulgaria livestock breeding (animal husbandry)

Contents Questions about livestock breeding (animal husbandry) 1.Do there exist minimum requirements / standards for livestock keeping / breeding in your country? 2.How far are these requirements actually kept by farmers / breeding factories? 3.Are there voluntary standards over and above that in order to guarantee that the animals are kept in a more “human” way, i.e. in a way more appropriate to their species? 4.What about consuming food and animal products in your country? 5.What about preferences in your school / family?

1. Do there exist minimum requirements/standards for livestock keeping / breeding in your country? If it does: please, list such minimum requirements for various species (e.g. cattle / poultry kept for gaining milk / eggs or kept for gaining meat). The Bulgarian national legislation establishes minimum welfare standards for farmed animals..  №16, Regulation for protection and welfare in animal breeding and their usage.

The protection of pigs  № 21, Regulation for minimum requirement for protection and welfare in pig-breeding  № 14, Regulation for qualification of slaughtered carcasses of pig. The protection of hens № 25, Regulation for minimum requirement for protection and welfare in layer-breeding. The protection of calves/sheep № 14, Regulation for minimum requirement for protection and welfare in calf-breeding № 20, Regulation for qualification of slaughtered carcasses of sheep.

2. How far are these requirements actually kept by farmers / breeding factories? What happens if they aren’t kept? Normally, the Bulgarian farmers try to keep these rules. In case of breaking the requirements for livestock breeding the national veterinary control service issues compulsory measures to the owners or keepers of animals that must be performed by them in a short period of time. Otherwise their farms or holdings might be closed for a short period of time (6 months). If the measure doesn’t function, the next step is the holding cancellation from veterinary register

Bulgarian animal welfare legislation is closely harmonized with the European. There is a Codex for humane attitude toward animals, which is directed to humane attitude and living conditions for farm animals, hygiene, pest and illnesses control. The aim of the Codex is to guarantee the production of safe animal production and in this order is from an exceptional importance for the health of farm animals. Specific rules continue to apply to: laying hens, calves, pigs and broilers in EU including in Bulgaria). fety/animal_welfare/l12100_en.htm Perhaps you can give us links to the website of organizations / farmers / (discount) stores that guarantee such standards?

3. Are there voluntary standards over and above that in order to guarantee that the animals are kept in a more “human” way, i.e. in a way more appropriate to their species?Calves The Bulgarian legislation prohibits the use of confined individual pens after the age of eight weeks. The Regulations sets out minimum dimensions for individual pens and for calves kept in group. Calves are not to be tethered (except under very specific circumstances) and must be fed according to their physiological needs. Pigs Bulgarian legislation in the sphere of animal welfare requires piglets to be weaned until they are at least 4 weeks old. The legislation also lays down a number of other conditions to ensure better animal welfare, such as lighting, litter, feeding, and ventilation requirements.

4. What about consuming food and animal products in your country? How much meat does an average family in your region consume during one year? In 2010 Bulgaria registered its highest per capita consumption of meat in the last 11 years. The per capita meat consumption in Bulgaria reached 47 kg in 2010, including (32 kg of meat and 15 kg of meat products). The new record is in contrast with the lowest meat consumption that Bulgarians saw in 2001, when it amounted to only 31 kg per person (21 kg of meat and 10 kg of meat products). Bulgaria had a record meat consumption in 2010

How many eggs, milk products, fish? Fish - 5 kg. Milk- 20 lt. Eggs- 140

5. What about preferences in your school / family? Students gain a valuable practice (knowledge and skills) in protecting, growing, and treatment of various farm animals. Our school provides a modern course of veterinary education that is supported by an extensive training and testing facilities in a farm complex.

 ‘This project has been funded with support from the European Commission. This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.’ This publication reflects the views only of the author, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein.’