site.btaAgriculture Ministry Takes Urgent Steps to Compensate Farmers Affected by Wildfires

"The farmers affected by the wildfires will be compensated promptly,” said caretaker Agriculture Minister Georgi Tahov during his visit to the municipality of Harmanli, Haskovo Region, quoted by his ministry on Monday. In Haskovo Region, areas of sunflower, corn, perennial crops, vineyards, meadows, and pastures have been destroyed, and animals and bee colonies have perished.

Minister Tahov said that the Ministry had taken urgent steps to quickly catalogue the damages. He urged all farmers affected by fires to submit applications to the local agricultural service under the de minimus scheme.

Minister Tahov also said that a discussion is underway how to support individuals who are not registered as agricultural producers. "Our aim is to compensate all farmers who keep animals. We have focused our actions on quick and timely measures to disburse support," said Tahov.

During his visit to Haskovo Region, the Agriculture Minister met with Svilengrad Mayor Anastas Karchev and farmers in the village of Ravna Gora. The local authorities expect 160 applications for compensation from farmers.

For his part, Karchev said that the municipality will continue to assist the victims of the fires.

Minister Tahov also inspected the burnt pastures in Svilengrad municipality and visited burned farms with rescued animals in the villages of Ravna Gora and Levka.