site.btaAgriculture Minister Comments Calls for His Resignation

"If the people that make this decision decide for me to stay, then I'll stay, if they decide for me to go - I'll go. However, I do not believe that it is right to respond to political pressure this way," said here on Tuesday Agriculture and Food Minister Kiril Vatev commenting calls for his resignation and whether it would solve the problems amidst farmers' protests.

On Monday representatives of over 20 agricultural organisations gathered in front of the Agriculture and Food Ministry, demanding the resignation of Agriculture Minister Kiril Vatev. The protest is in response to the major challenges in the sector in recent months. Farmers protested on Tuesday as well.

The National Grain Producers Association (NGPA), which represents and unites the vast majority of grain growers in Bulgaria, has launched indefinite protest actions.

Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov said at the start of the briefing that he will expect the farmers at a meeting to sign a new memorandum to allow aid to grain growers who have suffered losses last year. "Each day spent protesting, instead of negotiating and preparing the agreement, delays us from the moment when those who actually need the aid can receive it," the Prime Minister said. Denkov also said that the Government is ready with the main points in the new memorandum it proposes to sign with farmers.