site.btaUPDATED Bulgaria’s Vice President Stresses Need for Evolving EU Agricultural Policy to Face New Challenges

The European Union's common agricultural policy must not only be protected but also developed in the coming years in accordance with new geopolitical challenges, said Friday Vice President Iliana Iotova. She was speaking during an expert discussion titled "Bulgaria's Place in the European Commission's New Vision for Agriculture and Food" in Sofia, organized by the Green Transition Forum and the Bulgarian Agrarian Chamber.

The Vice President said that Bulgaria cannot redirect funds allocated for agriculture toward new policies proposed by the European Commission. According to Iotova, Bulgaria needs a new common agricultural policy within the EU, and it is clear that the current mechanisms, principles, and tools, though proven beneficial over the years, are no longer sufficient, with many of them needing to be changed.

"As Vice President of Bulgaria, I believe we have a historical responsibility to outline the most promising path toward the modernization and competitiveness of our agriculture and for this policy to remain a key priority for the EU, regardless of all the new ideas and proposals arising from the changed geopolitical conditions," Iotova said.

The Vice President further stated that the presidential institution is closely monitoring expert assessments, expressing concern over the loss of small and medium-sized farms producing fruits and vegetables, which have been the backbone of the sector. She noted that around 600,000 to 700,000 people have left agriculture in Bulgaria.

Iotova noted that following the Draghi Report on EU competitiveness, the European Commission is proposing reforms, including the EU Compass to regain competitiveness and ensure sustainable prosperity, and the Clean Industrial Deal supporting energy-intensive industries, clean technologies, and the circular economy. She emphasized that while it is too early to assess the effectiveness of these proposals, the Commission’s efforts to simplify complex regulations should be supported.

She also highlighted European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski's call for treating European agriculture as a strategic sector, with simplified rules to ensure competitiveness, long-term growth, innovation, and social benefits, especially for young farmers. Yotova welcomed his commitment to engaging with agricultural sectors and institutions in each country to address regional specifics, stressing that Bulgaria’s agricultural traditions must align with European standards and become a competitive advantage.