Vigenin: An end to the mass culling of sick animals

“In an animal disease crisis, people all too often resort to the seemingly easy solution: mass culling of animals. This is an approach from the past and a last resort that comes at a high price for farmers, for the animals and for society.” This was stated by Bulgarian MEP Kristian Vigenin from the Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament in the plenary in Strasbourg, on the resolution adopted on the future of the livestock sector in the EU.

Vigenin stressed the need for modern, evidence-based approaches to managing infectious diseases in farm animals.

Prevention, vaccination and biosecurity

The resolution emphasises the need to step up preventive measures, including vaccination, biosecurity and early disease detection, as an alternative to mass culling.

The Bulgarian MEP raised the issue as early as April 2025 in a parliamentary question to the European Commission, in which he called for a review of animal disease management strategies, as current practices cause serious economic and social damage to farmers.

A call to the European Commission

In his speech during the debate on the resolution, Vigenin called on the European Commission “to invest more in research and innovation, promote proportionate measures and integrate disease management more clearly into future agricultural strategies.” These priorities are also reflected in the text adopted by the European Parliament, which stresses the role of science-based solutions and the need for a coordinated European approach to tackling animal diseases.

“Sustainable agriculture starts with healthy animals and fair support for our farmers,” Vigenin said in conclusion.