The Bulgarian Green Party, Zeleno dvizhenie, has expressed its outrage and protest against the cruel torture of animals filmed for the purpose of sadistic entertainment and profiteering from their suffering. The Greens emphasize that attitudes toward animals are an undeniable indicator of the humanity of Bulgarian society. Bulgaria needs a systemic and institutional approach to animal protection. The environmental movement intends to be an active participant in the necessary legislative changes and ensure their effective implementation.
The Green Movement suggests that the development of human societies must also be assessed in terms of the care given to their non-human companions: domestic, agricultural, and wild animals. Bulgarian society demonstrates a great sense of empathy and respect for animals. Activists regret the lack of a clear policy from the state and local authorities in this regard.
Bulgarian legislation still does not provide sufficient protection against crimes against animals. Tougher penalties for particularly serious cases of animal abuse, as well as a general strengthening of mechanisms for investigating and punishing these crimes, are key measures that the Green Movement intends to demand and support.
The Green Party has consistently expressed its support for measures to protect both humans and animals. For the Greens, legislative changes are not enough; comprehensive institutional solutions are needed to ensure effective action against inhumane attitudes towards animals.
This is why the party is proposing several reforms and measures it deems necessary for effective animal protection:
- Improving legislation and law enforcement in the area of environmental, biodiversity, and animal crimes, with a clear division of responsibilities and coordination between institutions; expanding the capabilities and activities of the specialized structure “Environmental and Wildlife Crimes” within the National Police Directorate General, established in 2023.
- Relaunching the work of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) regarding the monitoring of humane benefits for animals.
- Establishing an advisory council composed of experts from the scientific community and civic organizations to develop long-term animal protection policies.
- Establishing rescue centers for human activities that endanger wild animals.
- Banning animal breeding for the production of valuable hides and for the cosmetics industry.
- Animal breeding and trade must be carried out only by licensed kennels and subject to strict controls. An effective system for identifying and tracking all domestic and farm animals must be established.
- Ban the sale of dogs and cats in markets, on websites, and in pet stores.
- Closure of zoos that do not comply with the Animal Welfare Act and European legislation on scientific and conservation centers.
The Bulgarian Green Party reiterated that animal protection is an integral part of sustainable development and the European values for which it continues to fight.
