site.btaMinister Taneva: 2020 Is Key Year for Agricultural Sector in Bulgaria, EU

Opening a Megaforum for
Agribusiness, Wine, Food and Equipment here on Wednesday,
Agriculture, Food and Forestry Minister Dessislava Taneva said
that 2020 is a key year for the agricultural sector not only in
Bulgaria but also in the whole European Union, because the
budget of the new Common Agricultural Policy will be determined
this year.
     
By the end of 2020 Bulgaria will have ready a National Strategic
 Plan for the 2021-2027 programming period that will include all
 measures in support of all types of agricultural productions,
Taneva said. The Plan's main focus will be green practices, she
added.

She also said that Bulgaria's agricultural sector attracts
strong investment interest and is developing positively. The
investments in this sector amount to 8 per cent of all
investments in Bulgarian economy, totalling 7.7 billion leva in
the 2014-2019 period. The agricultural sector generates 3.5 to
3.8 per cent of the country's GDP, Taneva noted.  
  
The Agriculture Minister told journalists that following
Hungary's example, Bulgaria will set up a mutually supportive
voluntary compensation fund for anti-hail protection. The fund
will be accredited with the Paying Agency and will become
operational in 2021, making possible the use of EU resources
under the Risk Management measure. At present, there are no
beneficiaries and money absorbed under that measure, causing
Bulgaria to lose 35 million euro, Taneva explained.

The Megaforum for Agribusiness, Wine, Food and Equipment is on
at International Fair Plovdiv until February 23. It incorporates
 four specialized exhibitions: Agra, Vinaria, Foodtech, and The
Tastes of Italy.
 
RI/DS

/ДЛ/