The National Sheep and Goat Breeders Association has called for the resignation of Agriculture Minister Georgi Tahov and Food Safety Agency director Svetlozar Patarinski over delays in vaccinating animals against sheep pox, BNR reported.

The association accused the two officials of providing incomplete and misleading information about the spread of the disease, misrepresenting the economic risks of vaccination, and spreading fear among farmers.

Grain producers have also expressed indignation at the minister's policies and called for his resignation.

Meanwhile, six major agricultural organisations, including those representing livestock breeders and dairy processors, announced readiness to stage a  counter-protest during Thursday’s visit to Bulgaria by EU Agriculture Commissioner Kristof Hansen.

The counter-protest, under the slogan “In Defence and Support of Bulgarian Production”, targets policies and mechanisms that, according to organisers, threaten the livelihoods of thousands of farmers. The group explicitly opposes calls from other farming organisations for immediate vaccination against sheep pox, positioning the action as a counterpoint to the earlier protest by sheep breeders in favour of vaccination.

Thirty agricultural industry organisations have issued a declaration in support of Agriculture Minister Georgi Tahov and his team, BNR reported.

“We, representatives of Bulgaria’s agricultural community — farmers, industry associations and processors — express our firm support for the consistent efforts of the Ministry of Agriculture, under Minister Georgi Tahov and his team, to strengthen the sector, improve its competitiveness and ensure predictability in agricultural policy.

We also voice our strong disagreement and deep indignation at the unfounded demand by the National Grain Producers Association for his resignation.”

The statement was addressed to Parliament Speaker Natalia Kiselova, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov and Deputy Prime Minister Tomislav Donchev.