site.btaAgriculture Minister Asks EC for Protective Measures against Honey Import from Ukraine to Bulgaria

Agriculture and Food Minister Georgi Tahov asked the European Commission for protective measures against the import of honey from Ukraine to Bulgaria. This happened during a meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council, which was held in Brussels, Belgium, the press centre of the Ministry said on Monday. 

Bulgaria's plea was supported by Romania. Tahov stressed that the import of Ukrainian honey hinders the marketing of local production. He pointed out that the significant quantities of Ukrainian honey at very low prices entering the European market put great pressure on the prices of Bulgarian honey.

During the meeting, ministers discussed the challenges and future prospects in the different agricultural sectors. Tahov noted that the egg market in Bulgaria continued to experience disruptions as a result of sharply increased imports from Ukraine. 

During his visit to Brussels, at the invitation of the Minister of Agriculture of Hungary, Tahov participated in a meeting with the agriculture ministers of Member States near the border with Ukraine and the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Vitaliy Koval. At the meeting, the ministers discussed the forthcoming Commission proposal to amend Article 29 of Ukraine's Association Agreement with the EU.

Tahov pointed out that in recent years the situation on the EU agricultural market, especially in the countries close to the border with Ukraine, has been characterized by a high level of uncertainty and instability. According to him, this creates tension among producers and negatively affects the sector as a whole. "Finding a long-term solution is key to achieving stability and predictability in the sector. This solution must be balanced and reflect the interests of all parties," Tahov was adamant.

At the meeting, the European Commission presented the proposal for a Council Regulation setting fishing opportunities for 2025 in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Tahov said he expected fishing opportunities for the Black Sea to be based on available scientific advice and to take into account the socio-economic aspect of fishing for turbot and sprat. The Bulgarian Agriculture Minister was adamant that the proposal for a Regulation takes into account the ongoing complicated situation in the Black Sea due to the war in Ukraine. He expressed hope that the unused quota for turbot would be reflected in it.

Agriculture ministers also discussed the preparation of a strategy to improve the production and use of protein crops at European level. Tahov said that Bulgaria supports the development of a comprehensive strategy to build on the impact and results of the instruments applied so far aimed at supporting the production of protein crops.