Is it true that the Bulgarian authorities deliberately destroy animal farming, as demonstrated by the euthanization of a pregnant horse in Razgrad village? No, that's not true: The Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) had to euthanize a pregnant mare due to the presence of a highly contagious and incurable disease among horses known as infectious anemia. The mare had tested positive for the disease on two occasions, compelling the agency to take decisive action to prevent the further spread of the virus.
The claim appeared in a TikTok video (archived here) on November 16, 2023, under the title (translated from Bulgarian to English by Lead Stories staff) "Stop Genocide." It began (as translated):
Livestock farming is being destroyed in Bulgaria. The goal is genocide and starvation of the Bulgarian people. What would I do in this case? I will isolate the mare and cure her according to Dr. Reich's method and from her antibodies I will create a vaccine. It's so simple if you don't want to kill anyone.
This is what the post looked like on TikTok at the time of writing:
(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Sat Nov 18 20:14:05 2023 UTC)
The false claim circulating on social media in Bulgaria suggests that the authorities are intentionally undermining animal breeding in the country. This claim has garnered significant attention, particularly following a recent incident involving the euthanization of a pregnant mare by the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) in the village of Razgrad.
Here is another example of the claim on TikTok on November 16, 2023, with the following caption (as translated):
They started slaughtering people's animals again. In the village of Razgrad, Montana region, a seven-month pregnant mare was taken for euthanasia. They arrived heavily armed, with hoods and machine guns, and in front of the owners, took the pregnant mare away, without showing any documents. They killed her and buried the body in a municipal plot next to the village of Mokresh. What country do we live in?
(Source: TikTok screenshot taken on Sat Nov 18 20:22:56 2023 UTC)
The BFSA said the euthanasia was prompted by a positive test for infectious anemia in horses, a potentially fatal and contagious disease. Despite this explanation, many people protested and called for a re-evaluation with a second test. The BFSA office in Montana conducts annual tests for infectious anemia in horses in autumn. In 10 days, the veterinarian collected 78 samples, with one yielding a positive result. Regulation No. 2, outlined by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, lists what must be done after positive tests: reporting, isolating, treating and disposing of infected animals or products.
During an interview with Bulgarian National Radio (BNR), Dr. Lyudmil Antov, who heads the Health Department at the Regional Food Safety Directorate, explained that the mare's owner was notified of the necessity for euthanasia. Although a second blood test is not mandated, the agency's leadership agreed to the owner's request, influenced by public pressure. Additionally, the owner was extended an invitation to join the BFSA team during the sample delivery to the laboratory.
In the interview with BNR, Rumen Borisov, the owner of the mare, reported being briefed on the procedures and confirmed that tests for infectious anemia had been administered to all animals in the vicinity. He said the blood test revealed his mare tested positive for infectious anemia. Due to her absence of symptoms, he requested a second sample to be analyzed at an independent laboratory.
Despite the second test confirming the diagnosis, both the mare's owner and the public continued to oppose the BFSA The euthanization took place on November 15, 2023, prompting the owner to initiate legal action against the agency.
Other Lead Stories fact checks about claims of the destruction of livestock farms by the Bulgarian authorities can be found here and here.
