site.btaPM, Ministers Discuss Measures for Addressing Traffic Accidents, Food Quality

PM, Ministers Discuss Measures
for Addressing Traffic Accidents,
Food Quality


Sofia, May 27 (BTA) - A meeting, attended by Prime Minister Boyko Borissov, was held on Saturday at the Council of Ministers between representatives of the Agriculture and Food Ministry, the Interior Ministry, the Transport Ministry, the Regional Development Ministry and the Health Ministry. It focused on road safety measures and the difference in the quality of food offered on the Bulgarian market, compared to that in other EU countries.

Measures for Improving Road Safety

Interior Minister Valentin Radev said after the meeting that there has been an increase in fatal traffic accidents over the past few months and the authorities will seek prompt measures for tackling this trend.

Different measures are being set out for stopping the war on the roads, one of which is to change the legislation, divide the Road Traffic Act and amend an ordinance concerning the use of narcotic substances. The deadline for proposals is very short - by Monday, Radev said. Some of the measures can be quick - public procurements are needed for the supply of video surveillance cameras on the roads, as well as connecting the information systems, he added.

Transport Minister Ivaylo Moskovski said that different options for coordinating the traffic and road controlling authorities must be agreed on in a week. The Road Traffic Act will be divided into two or three parts. One will solely cover the roads, the other will pertain to the technical requirements for vehicles, and if there is a third one, it will be about drivers' education, Moskovski said.

Regional Development Minister Nikolay Nankov added that the introduction of an integrated toll system for trucks and vignette stickers for cars will be a priority, so that money can be collected for road maintenance. He voiced his demand that a contractor be selected for the new system by this year's end, despite the appeals.
Revenue from vignette stickers in 2016 stands at around 300 million leva, while almost a billion leva will be collected each year with the new model, he said. This will not reflect on Bulgarian citizens, because the price of vignette stickers will not change and the money will come from toll fees paid by trucks.

Food Quality

The second topic discussed during the meeting the difference in food quality offered by the same manufacturer in different EU Member States.

Agriculture and Food Minister Roumen Porozhanov said that five groups of food products have been designated for analysis. They cover chocolate, dairy and meat products, sodas and juices, as well as children's food. Samples from these groups have been already purchased in Germany and Austria and are being tested. The same products will be purchased from large Bulgarian chains next week. The analysis includes comparing labels and prices and a lab analysis of the products themselves.

Similar measures have been undertaken by countries from the Visegrad Group, the Agriculture Minister explained. According to him, there should be single rules for same-quality products offered on the EU market. The reasoning that Bulgarians' tastes are different is not a serious argument for the difference in the products, Porozhanov said. PK/MY

/МЙ/