site.btaMinister Tahov Outlines Priorities in Agriculture

Changes in several laws are needed for consumers to feel the reduction in food prices, Minister of Agriculture and Food Georgi Tahov told Bulgaria On Air on Saturday.

According to him, in parallel with the preparation of the draft law on agro-food chains, laws that are relevant to the Ministry of Economy and Industry, regarding the Consumer Protection Commission and the Commission for Protection of Competition, must also undergo changes. Several laws must move in symbiosis to achieve the effect of putting the farmer in a better position to get a fair price for the produce he makes, offers and sells, the minister said, adding that then all consumers will feel a reduction in prices.

He reminded that the deadline for the preparation of the draft law on agro-food chains is within a month and reiterated that a public consultation will be done with all the branch organizations, and feedback will also be sought from the trade chains. The draft law will regulate consumer relations throughout the agro-food chain, the minister said. He added that farmers in this chain remain the most disadvantaged, noting that most of the value added remains with the trader and not with the farmer who is the supplier of a commodity. Georgi Tahov pointed out that the draft law seeks to avoid this by creating a stronger market advantage for the farmer-supplier in the chains. “It will be expressed in the types of contractual relations that farmers have with the chains, we want to put them on a more equal footing and make their voice heard more loudly,” the minister said.

According to Georgi Tahov, best practices are now being studied in order to include in the draft law what is best for both the producer and the consumer.