site.btaAgriculture Minister: Bulgarian Livestock Selection Should Be Developed So It Leads to Market Success

Bulgarian livestock selection and breeding must be developed in a way that leads to market success, Agriculture and Food Minister Kiril Vatev said, attending the international livestock exhibition in Clermont-Ferrand, France, on Tuesday. During the forum, Vatev conferred with French Minister of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty Marc Fesneau, with whom they discussed the current challenges that farmers face due to agricultural imports from Ukraine.

Vatev noted that the Bulgarian government is making great efforts for Ukrainian goods to pass through Bulgaria easily, reaching the ports of Thessaloniki and Kavala. However, Bulgarian infrastructure is not built for such intensive traffic and for this reason Bulgaria will ask the EC for aid to strengthen it," Vatev added.

The two ministers commented on climate change and floods. “We need to think about drainage infrastructure as a preventive [measure] against heavy rainfall. Fesneau also showed interest in this idea.

Commenting on the exhibition, Vatev said he sees many opportunities for cooperation between Bulgaria and France in the field of livestock farming. Both ministers agreed that the two countries have common interests in agriculture.

Vatev also met with exhibitors from France and other countries, discussing the exchange of experiences and future cooperation to increase productivity in dairy and beef cattle farming in Bulgaria.

Talking to reporters, Vatev stressed that the presence of Bulgarian breeders on the market depends on whether they are competitive and whether they manage to offer products with lower cost and higher quality. Such a task can only be fulfilled with higher productivity through better breeding, the Bulgarian Agriculture Minister said.

Vatev emphasized it is imperative for the institutes of the Agricultural Academy in Sofia and the educational production facilities of agricultural universities in Bulgaria to attract leading breeding experts, agronomists, soil scientists, veterinarians, zoo engineers, students and pupils of specialized schools.

The Sommet de l'Elevage exhibition in Clermont-Ferrand is held for the 32nd time and its 2023 edition is focused on agroecological livestock farming. It is expected to be attended by some 105,000 visitors from 80 countries, who will be able to see 1,550 exhibitors and 2,000 head of livestock.