site.btaAgriculture Minister Vatev, Branch Organizations Reach Agreement

Agriculture Minister Kiril Vatev reached an agreement with branch organizations on their demands, the Ministry said on Tuesday. Earlier in the day Vatev met with United Farmers National Association Chairman Ventsislav Mitkov, National Association of Potato Growers Chairman Todor Dzhikov, National Association of Growers and Processors of Nuts Chairman Ilias Sarnouk, Union of Mushroom Growers in Bulgaria Chair Iliana Dimitrova and Ventsitslav Evgeniev of the Union for Breeding of Bulgarian Sheep and Goats. The talks were also attended by Deputy Agriculture Ministers Alexander Yotsev and Deyan Stratev.  

The meeting discussed the demands formulated in 12 points on which an agreement was reached and will be drafted. For their part, representatives of the associations said they were suspending protests until the document was signed.  

Minister Vatev announced that producers of mushrooms, nuts and table potatoes would be included in de minimis support scheme. He added that support would be given to those farmers for whom analyses show that they are in need, as the de minimis instrument is for assistance in crisis situations. "These crops are not included under the Ukraine aid scheme," Minister Vatev said. 

On the agenda were other demands too which involve setting up working groups on agricultural policies regarding the zoning in the country, in relation to Bulgaria’s climate-soil map, as well as for analyses and recommendations on the strategic plan for agriculture and rural areas 2023-2027.