site.btaUPDATED Bulgarian Farmers Block Road to Border Crossing with Greece near Sadovo Village

Farmers blocked the road to the Ilinden - Exochi border crossing near the village of Sadovo on the Bulgarian border with Greece. Representatives of the Bulgarian National Association of Potato Growers, along with grain growers and livestock breeders joined the protest on Saturday. 

At 11:00 am the protesters pulled out agricultural equipment on the road to the border crossing with Greece and stayed there until 1:00 pm when they lifted the road blockade.

Despite declaring an end to their protests on Friday evening at a briefing at the Council of Ministers, farmers continued protests on Saturday. National Grain Producers Association Chair Iliya Prodanov said here on Friday that an agreement between the industry representatives and the Prime Minister will be drafted, which is to be approved by all parties concerned.

Chairman of the National Association of Potato Growers Todor Dzhikov told journalists that the reason for further protest action is that demands have not been met. "It should be clear to the Bulgarian society that we do not want money, the lack of money is a consequence of the lack of policies at the national and European level," Dzhikov said. According to him, the reason for the protest is a demand for clarity regarding the government's position on the European Green Deal. 

Dzhikov said that protesters disapprove of the free liberalized import of products and goods from Ukraine because of the cost differences. He stressed that the Bulgarian Government must ask the EU to introduce eco-taxes to level the cost of production so that Bulgarian producers have an equal chance on the market. It is also extremely important to change the policy, budgets, and rates in the mountainous and semi-mountainous regions, Dzhikov said.

The protesters said they would also seek a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Mariya Gabriel, and they would ask for support from the leaders of parliamentary parties demanding the adoption of specific laws related to the sector. 

Protests are expected to continue next week, with talks between Bulgarian and Greek farmers for joint action, Dzhikov said.