site.btaAgriculture Minister: Bulgarian Farmers Set to Receive BGN 3 Bln in Subsidies in 2023

In 2023, agricultural producers in Bulgaria are set to receive a little over BGN 3 billion in subsidies with the payments that are due in December, said Agriculture Minister Kiril Vatev, interviewed on Bulgarian National Radio on Sunday about farmers’ protests. 
 
Vatev said that farmers don’t consider the total amount of payments they have received throughout the year but look at the individual rates, which look insufficient. However, Vatev said that Bulgaria ranks second after Poland in terms of agricultural subsidies compared with a trend for subsidies to be reduced in other countries. 

The minister said that the farmers demand that EU rules about aid in connection with the effects of the Ukraine war are breached, which set a cap of EUR 250,000 on one-off aid.  Vatev said that Bulgaria has made efforts to increase the cap to EUR 280,000. But if the cap is removed, this will mean that Bulgaria disregards EU institutions and legislation. There is no legislation which allows the cap to be removed. Coupled with state aid Bulgaria is paying the largest subsidies in 2023 and they will remain in 2024 as well. There are no grounds for protests, the Minister was adamant. 

He said that Bulgarian agriculture should increase productivity so that Bulgaria becomes competitive. 

Agriculture Minister Vatev denied reports that state-owned agricultural land will be sold. Replying to an inquiry by the deputy finance minister, the Agriculture Ministry said that the sale will not be profitable.