On Farmed Animals’ World Day, the organization CAAI (Campaigns and Activism for Animals in the Industry) joins the local residents’ fight against the expansion of industrial farms.
On October 2 – Farmed Animals’ World Day – the association CAAI (Campaigns and Activism for Animals in the Industry) launched a national campaign and petition in support of the residents of Debelets, near Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria who have been protesting for years against the expansion of one of the largest poultry farms in the country.
The investment project envisions increasing the farm’s capacity from about 550,000 to over 1.15 million hens, which would make it the largest farm in Bulgaria and one of the largest in Europe. The decision of the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water (RIEW) – Veliko Tarnovo to approve the project has already been appealed in court by both CAAI and the “For Debelets” Association. Local residents have organized protests, a citizen initiative with over 3,000 signatures, and have submitted numerous complaints about air pollution and intolerable living conditions, yet the problem has long been ignored by local authorities.
The expansion of this farm would mean that over half a million more birds will be confined in cages – the cruelest form of industrial farming. Meanwhile, across Europe, a complete ban on cages is being discussed following the European Citizens’ Initiative “End the Cage Age”, supported by over 1.4 million citizens.
Moreover, megafarms harm society: they destroy small local producers, increase the risk of monopolization of the sector and prices, pollute the environment, damage biodiversity, and endanger the health of both humans and animals.
“This is not just a fight for clean air and a healthy environment – it is also a fight for the animals, who in megafarms are deprived of any natural conditions and spend their entire lives suffering behind bars – without sunlight, fresh air, or freedom. Our mission is to show that megafarms are unjust and dangerous – for both people and animals. Bulgaria should not go down this path, because it is neither fair nor sustainable,” said Petya Altimirska from CAAI.
The organization would like to remind us that in January this year, following a long-term campaign, the last mink farm in Bulgaria was closed, and a ban on breeding minks for fur was achieved.
“This success proves that when citizens and institutions work together, change is possible,” added CAAI.
The campaign includes legal actions against the expansion decision, a national petition at stopmegafarms.bg, an information campaign, and a series of public events aimed at raising awareness about the harm caused by megafarms.
Contact:
Petya Altimirska /Chair of the Board of CAAI/
Association CAAI – Campaigns and Activism for Animals in the Industry
0895760754
www.caai.bg
