Turkey moves to protect itself from Bulgaria's FMD outbreak

Turkish regions along the Bulgarian border are taking measures to prevent the spread of food-and-mouth disease from Bulgaria even though the Bulgarian authorities claim the infection came from Turkey.

The Turkish authorities have suspended all movement or evacuation of animals in the region of Kirklareli, known in Bulgaria as Lozengrad. The measure will be in place until May 9, 2011. What is more, the authorities in European Turkey are moving to start immunization of local domestic animals against FMD. According to EU sources, the European Commission has provided Turkey with 850 000 immunization doses even though the Turkish state has not provided official information.