2024-02-11 13:52:20
The organizations that continue the protests have an unknown mass of members, unlike the Bulgarian Agrarian Chamber, the organization claims
There is no split in the Bulgarian Agrarian Chamber (BAK), the organization states in its position. It emphasizes that the chamber continues to uphold the demands of its members, behind which more than 10 thousand farmers stand and, as a responsible institution, protects the interests of all farmers.
Their position was reached after an initiative committee, including 26 branch organizations from the “Agriculture” sector, categorically announced that it did not support the agreements reached at the government’s meetings with several agricultural organizations. Therefore, on February 13, the protests will continue, the Initiative Committee announced yesterday.
On Saturday, farmers blocked the road to the Ilinden-Eksohi border crossing near the village of Sadovo for two hours, BTA recalls. Representatives of the National Association of Potato Growers, as well as grain producers and livestock breeders, joined the protest.
“The escalation of protests, instead of constructive talks in a situation of upcoming rotation in the executive power, gives a political nuance and the pursuit of personal goals, from which the BAC categorically distinguishes itself”, however, the Chamber states. “The organizations that continue the protests have an unknown mass of members, unlike the Bulgarian Agrarian Chamber. That is why we demand that the government adopt a law on branch organizations and the agrarian chamber, which will “clarify” and legitimize all structures in the agrarian sector”, the organization insists.
The chamber points out that until now the representative of the National Association of Potato Producers (NAK) has not submitted to the BAC a decision of the Board of Directors of the NAC, which is in contradiction with their opinion regarding the ongoing negotiations and the agreement being prepared with the government.
“The Bulgarian Agrarian Chamber accepts the continuation of the protests as a PR action that serves political purposes and calls on farmers not to give in to suggestions that aim to solve personal, not branch problems, the position reads.