site.btaSituation in Agriculture Sector Serious, Won't Be Getting Any Easier - Minister Vatev

The problems in Bulgarian agriculture have been accumulating over many years. It is difficult to solve them all in five months. No one is denying that the situation in agriculture is very difficult and, unfortunately, there is no prospect of it getting any easier, Agriculture and Food Minister Kiril Vatev told NOVA TV Sunday. 

Commenting the protest of farmers, Vatev pointed out that in every protest there is a political context, including this one. He did not answer the question whether he would resign, criticising the behaviour of some of the protesters.

The Minister dismissed as absurd the allegations that deep-frozen meat is offered as fresh. He also noted that according to official figures, 329 cow farms have been closed in 2022 and 323 in 2023.

In relation to the Hail Suppression Agency, the Minister said that a proposal has been made to raise the salaries of employees by 30% and there are assurances that this will happen. Other agencies under the Ministry are to receive a 20% increase in salaries.

There are no new outbreaks of bird flu, the Agriculture Minister said.