site.btaGrain Producers Association Demands Immediate Disbursement of State Aid in Relation to Russia's War against Ukraine, Threatens Protests

Following an extraordinary meeting of its Management Board, the National Grain Producers Association (NGPA) Wednesday issued a statement voicing its discontent over the State’s failure to meet the deadlines for granting aid to farmers in relation to Russia's war against Ukraine.

In a press release sent to BTA, NGPA recalled that the state aid payment rates and terms were laid out in an agreement reached between the State and the sector on February 12, pointing out that these financial commitments have been violated. The organization noted that more than half a year later, the legislative initiatives aimed at ensuring the long-term sustainability of the agricultural sector and the promised dialogue with the Finance Ministry on the 2025 budget also prove to be a mirage.

NGPA noted that the State's inability to provide financial stability to farmers is fueling the industry's discontent. The organization’s members across the country are going to hold local meetings to discuss ways to respond to the institution’s failure to comply with the agreement.

In their statement, NGPA demands an urgent meeting with the Finance Minister and the Agriculture and Food Minister and the immediate disbursement of the state aid. Uncertainty and lack of trust in the executive would force farmers to take to the streets again, which would threaten to disrupt the constructive dialogue between the State and the sector, the organization added.

The February 12 agreement was reached after a series of protests staged by farmers in Bulgaria, who demanded a revision of the proposal for the distribution of aid and the budget aimed at preventing mass bankruptcies in the industry. The protestors also demanded clear guarantees for legislative changes to ensure the sustainability of the sector.

Given the commitments made by the Denkov Cabinet, later in February, the State Fund Agriculture gave farmers and producers of grain and oilseed crops until April 9 to apply for state aid aimed at supporting their liquidity and addressing the negative economic impact of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The first installment of the aid was disbursed in May; the second was due by September 30.