Human trafficking and baby sales in particular are the cause for greatest concern, months before the European commission (EC) issues its final entry date recommendation for Bulgaria, Bloomberg agency reported.

Statistics show Bulgaria pressed charges against 33 people for forcing pregnant women to give birth and sell their children abroad over the last three years. In most cases the women traveled to Greece.

In its report from May 16 the EC said that delay was possible unless Bulgaria took efficient anti-organised crime measures. Since the last report from October 2005 the country has been tightening border control and fighting corruption among magistrates.

Information provided by the Greek police showed these measures remained insufficient, Bloomberg reported.

The price of a baby might reach 15 000 euro but mothers receive less than a third of the money. The rest is divided between the Bulgarian traffickers, Greek mediators and the medics involved in the birth.

The remaining money exceeds five Bulgarian annual incomes and many poor women, usually belonging to the Roma minority group, resort to this measure.

Europol data shows the baby trafficking industry produces over one billion euro a year. In its last report Europol said that although women trafficking and drug deals were also a problem, Bulgaria specialised in baby sales.

Fighting baby trafficking is problematic because pregnant women can travel abroad legally and what they do with their pregnancy remains beyond police control.

Another problem is the high demand for babies in Greece. Over 60 childless couples apply for the adoption of a single child, Bloomberg reported.