site.btaNational Grain Producers Association Criticizes 2025 State Budget Bill, Announces Readiness for Protest

Grain growers from all over Bulgaria are ready for protest and will defend their right to decent livelihood by all legal means, the National Grain Producers Association announced here on Wednesday. Their statement is in connection with the 2025 state budget bill, published for discussion.

It states that the grain sector is strategic for Bulgaria's national economy, food security and sustainable development. However, the continued neglect of its needs puts the future of Bulgarian farmers at risk. The National Grain Producers Association strongly disagrees with and criticizes the 2025 state budget bill, the statement says.

The Association insists on including key items in the state budget for 2025 that are crucial for the stability of the sector, such as funds for the state aid financial support to farmers, grain and oilseed producers in view of the negative economic impact of the Russian aggression against Ukraine, funds for the restoration and construction of strategic facilities of the hydro-ameliorative sector in the country, according to the four-year plan proposed by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (MAF) for engineering (design and construction - reconstruction, restoration, modernization and new construction) of irrigation infrastructure sites and for implementing reforms for the efficient and sustainable use of water resources in Bulgaria, by reducing water losses in hydro-ameliorative facilities and funds for the state aid "Assistance in support of irrigation water costs for growing agricultural crops".

The Association also insists on the implementation of legislative initiatives related to improving opportunities for agricultural activities. The statement clarifies that the Association has sounded the alarm about the critical state of the grain sector and the need for immediate measures to address the problems and challenges posed by the negative consequences of the war in Ukraine. It has written to the Minister of Finance and all parliamentary groups requesting an immediate meeting and is awaiting their response.

An extraordinary meeting of the Board of Directors of the National Grain Producers Association was held, where its regional structures stated that grain growers from all over Bulgaria are ready for protest.