All of the EonA and AWF complaints about the lenient and corrupt behaviour of the veterinarian inspectors at the Bulgarian side of the border have paid off. A group of European Officials also inspected the activities at the border and, like us, sent in a complaint that the veterinarian inspectors were not conducting their work thoroughly.
After the recent elections almost all the veterinarians in Haskovo and Kapitain Andreevo Exit Point have been replaced. The Head Veterinarian has been accused of corruption and could be facing 3 years in prison.
The new veterinarian officials seem much more honest and professional. They are now even checking the gps of all livestock trucks trying to pass the Bulgarian exit point into Turkey – should the animals still have a long way to drive in Turkey, they are being sent back to the closest control point to be unloaded, rested and fed for 24hrs first.
Inspections of animal welfare and journey length are now, finally, being carried out in the animals’ interest and not in the interest of corrupt officials.
