The Bulgarian dairy industry has good potential but cannot guarantee that its products meet all sanitary and hygiene requirements, according to Bulgaria’s agriculture minister Mehmed Dikme.

In an interview with Bulgarian news agency BTA, Dikme pointed to the fact that only 12 Bulgarian dairy producers currently meet requirements for access to EU markets.

The EU has given Bulgaria a three-year period after accession to introduce EU quality standards. Before then, dairy and meat products below EU standards will still be available on the domestic market.