The Association “Campaigns and Activism for Animals in the Industry” (CAAI) and the Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture and Foods signed a memorandum establishing a foundation for continuity and follow-up actions regarding animal protection and animal welfare policies. On behalf of the Ministry, the document was signed by the acting Minister of Agriculture and Foods, Ivan Hristanov.
The memorandum aims to ensure that animal-related issues are treated as a long-term institutional priority rather than merely as a reaction to isolated cases, public scandals, or temporary public pressure. The document emphasizes the need for a comprehensive policy covering all animals affected by human activity – farm animals, animals used for scientific and educational purposes, wild animals, animals kept in zoos, breeding facilities and other establishments, animals used in public events, companion animals, and stray animals.
“Animal protection cannot be reduced to only one group of animals or to isolated crisis situations. Bulgaria needs a long-term, consistent, and evidence-based policy built on an analysis of existing weaknesses, independent expertise, and good practices from other European countries,” said Petya Altimirska, Chair of the Board of CAAI.
Among the main priorities outlined in the memorandum are: analyzing the effectiveness of animal welfare enforcement and oversight, preparing a roadmap for the development of animal protection policies, improving interinstitutional coordination, ensuring the actual implementation of public oversight during inspections initiated by organizations’ reports, and establishing a permanent consultative body within the Ministry.
The document also addresses issues such as the conditions under which farm animals are raised, intensive farming systems, practices causing severe and preventable suffering, animals used for scientific and educational purposes, public events involving animals, online content depicting violence against animals, breeding facilities, animal trade, captive wild animals, zoos, and misleading labeling of animal products.
A particularly important emphasis is placed on the role of civil society organizations and independent experts. The memorandum stresses that the non-governmental sector does not replace the functions of the competent authorities, but can contribute to better enforcement of the law, greater transparency, more effective prevention, and increased public trust.
CAAI describes the signing of the memorandum as an important first step toward a more transparent, effective, and modern animal protection policy in Bulgaria.
“This is not the end, but merely the beginning. The real outcome will depend on whether the next leadership of the Ministry continues to work on this matter and transforms this framework into real administrative and political action,” CAAI added.