Dr. Yordan Voinov, Executive Director of the Agency for Food Safety, in an interview Radio Focus


Focus: 10 experts from Moldova will arrive today in our country and will work with their Bulgarian counterparts in food safety. Dr. Voinov, how will run the joint work of experts from Moldova?
Yordan Voinov: Yes, experts from Moldova will arrive to Bulgaria. I think the program that we have prepared, will satisfy their interests, since Moldova is following the footsteps of Bulgaria's accession to the European Union. And after a meeting of Prime Minister of Moldova and the Prime Minister of Bulgaria, we agreed to help in this regard. And this meeting, which actually begins, for about 10 days, they will be on our territory. We will show them everything regarding organization structure in terms of agency control in enterprises. They will see our businesses. So, I hope the meeting to be useful for them, because Brussels has recommended them to look at Bulgaria.

Focus: You mentioned some highlights of the program, which will be most important?
Yordan Voinov:The most important - we will first start with the presentation of the structure and organization of the agency. And once they know the structure and organization, they will tour the country to see how we exert the control on regional level. And they will visit our enterprises to learn at the spot how they are controlled by our experts.

Focus: What results do you expect from the joint inspections of the Bulgarian and Moldovan experts?
Yordan Voinov: I expect to help for faster EU integration of Moldova. And the other thing is to improve our trade relations. I do not say that we have had any problems with Moldova, but I think that being close neighboring countries we should cooperate with each other. They should also upgrade their plants in order to easier and faster EU membership.

Focus: Are you proud that it is our experts who will teach Moldovan experts?
Yordan Voinov: Of course I'm proud. This can only make us happy. Once they have chosen and these were the instructions from Brussels – to visit Bulgaria to see, how it works and what level are our business is, so it's a proud moment not only for me but for the entire country.

Focus: Which is the biggest success of the agency since its foundation until now?
Yordan Voinov:I think we did a lot of work, but there is still much to do. I believe that since the agency started 1 year ago, I think it quickly came up. There is still much to be desired. And I say it again, it is very difficult in times of crisis our enterprises suffer, to implement effective control. Because due to the low consumption of various goods there are bedsores, some unscrupulous dealers who try to sold and it is really difficult, but we make efforts. And I think we're on the right path. And with the introduction of standards, because standards can not be imposed for one year, it can take from 3 to 5 years. So I believe we are on the right path and even increase the rate at which we work. I think that this would happen, given this year, which passed that we had and organizational problems - had to move, and in fact to control, and organize the placement of our experts. I think that went without major disruption, as some expected.

Focus: What is to be done by the agency by the end of the year?
Yordan Voinov: Now for us the most important is the summer season. On May 15 we launch checks. Also very important on which will pay attention are summer camps for students, children. So these are the fields we will pay most attention after we have drawn our lessons from last summer season and winter.