Bulgaria seeks European assistance in combating the import of banned pesticides

Bulgaria has requested teams from other European countries to help monitor its borders in order to prevent the import of banned pesticides, said Angel Mavrovski, director of the Food Safety Agency.

According to caretaker Minister of Agriculture Ivan Hristanov, a radical change is necessary in the way Bulgaria’s borders are guarded, reported journalist Veselina Milanova.

More than 60 tons of illegal pesticides have been discovered by inspectors over the past two months. The latest major finding was at a facility belonging to the country’s largest grain producer in the Svishtov region.

“These pesticides are banned in the EU for a reason - they cause cancer,” Hristanov said. According to him, small quantities enter the country through the port of Burgas, while larger volumes come through Kapitan Andreevo and via Lesovo through so-called “luggage trade".

According to the minister, these illegal channels are protected by specific individuals, which is why a radical replacement of the personnel responsible for border security is needed.

Edited by Miglena Ivanova