2023-09-19 01:05:55
Hundreds of Bulgarian farmers cut off traffic in a nationwide protest against the end of the ban on imports of Ukrainian cereals.
Protesters claim that the government’s decision will affect around 900,000 people in the country and demand the dismissal of the pro-European coalition of reformists and conservatives in power.
So far, Bulgaria is the only one of the five European Union countries neighboring Ukraine to lift the ban, as Poland, Hungary and Slovakia unilaterally announced the extension, while Romania is making a final decision dependent on a plan from the Ukrainian Government with measures to protect the Romanian internal market.
At least 26 organizations from the agricultural sector were present at the protest, where milk and fruit producers also joined the voices of discontent.
“We protest against the import of cereals, milk, fruit and vegetables. This is a protest by the entire agricultural industry in the country, not just cereal producers”, explains Tsanko Tsanev, a livestock producer.
Despite police controls, early in the morning, local media reported around 40 blockades across the country
The road to the Danube Bridge border post with Romania was also blocked by heavy machinery. Farmers say they are offended that Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov of Bulgaria has described them as terrorists.
For his part, Denkov claims not to understand the protests, which “at this moment seem to be about problems that have already been resolved, or are about demands that cannot be resolved in the way they want because the established deadlines cannot be met.”
In addition to the end of imports to Ukraine, farmers are also demanding additional funding from the state.
A large demonstration is expected this Tuesday in the capital, Sofia.
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