Livestock Farmers Against Genocide: Emergency Meeting in the Village of Trud to Save Bulgarian Production – Bai Riban

In this emotional conversation, farmer Bai Riban (Бай Рибан) and his son Mitko (Митко) describe the catastrophic conditions at their farm after 16 months of institutional inaction and issue a call to all livestock farmers for an emergency meeting in the village of Trud (село Труд), aimed at uniting against the “mafia” and saving Bulgarian production.

Brief information about the event:

• Date: Sunday, February 15
• Location: Trud village (село Труд)
• Topic: Uniting livestock farmers against the “mafia” and state inaction leading to genocide against animals; discussion of the lack of solutions to the crisis for the past 16 months.

Hell in the mud and the physical survival of the herd

Bai Riban (Бай Рибан) and his son Mitko (Митко) welcome the crew to what they describe as a disaster zone. The terrain at the farm is in catastrophic condition. Deep mud blocks access for machinery, damages vehicles, and makes caring for the animals almost impossible. The farmers explain that horses get stuck and overturn while trying to pull carts loaded with feed. Because of the impossible conditions, the men are forced to carry heavy bales of food and water by hand.

The situation is devastating for the animals. Mitko (Митко) reports the alarming statistic that 70% of the herd is limping and permanently maimed due to constant wading through mud. Before New Year’s, machines were sent to assist, but they left and the problem remained unresolved. Bai Riban (Бай Рибан) calls on anyone with machinery to help clear the terrain, as their physical strength is running out.

Emergency meeting in Trud village against the “mafia”

The farmers issue an emotional and categorical appeal to all their colleagues across the country. They are organizing a mass meeting on Sunday in Trud village (село Труд). Bai Riban (Бай Рибан) insists that all shepherds unite “as one fist” to defeat the “mafia,” which he believes is deliberately carrying out genocide against animals in Bulgaria (България).

Mitko (Митко) addresses livestock farmers specifically from Velingrad (Велинград) and from the restricted zones (the 10-kilometer and 30-kilometer zones). He warns them that passivity will not save them. He uses the folk saying, “Today the bear dances in our yard, tomorrow it will dance in yours,” to illustrate that the problems of some will inevitably reach others if the guild does not show solidarity. People who will defend the interests of the sector are expected to attend the meeting, and concrete actions to save livelihoods will be sought.

16 months of institutional silence

Mitko (Митко) expresses strong indignation at the lack of state support. He notes that for a year and four months the institutions have failed to offer an adequate solution to the crisis. According to him, those responsible “run like the devil from incense” and hide instead of taking responsibility.

The farmer directly challenges critics and sector representatives, explicitly mentioning the name Karakolev (Караколев). He invites them to come to the site to hear the truth and to try caring for 3,000 animals under these conditions for even a single day. Mitko wants to see how they would carry 20 bales on their backs and tend to the livestock, instead of talking nonsense and writing comments without knowing the reality on the ground.

A plea for a market instead of begging

Bai Riban’s (Бай Рибан) health is deteriorating and he is facing surgery, but his primary concern remains feeding the herd. Due to a lack of resources, they feed the animals every other day and make severe cutbacks. The farmer is categorical that he does not want to beg, but insists on being provided with access to a market.

His appeal to Bulgarian citizens (българските граждани) is to support domestic producers for the upcoming holidays—Easter (Великден) and St. George’s Day (Гергьовден). Bai Riban (Бай Рибан) urges people to buy genuine Bulgarian lamb from farms instead of consuming imported meat, which he describes as “frozen meat for 30–40 years” and “poison.” He expresses deep gratitude to everyone who has helped him with medicine, food, and labor in building the shelter, and states that only the sale of their production can save them from bankruptcy.