2024-02-12 18:59:17
A while ago we signed the agreement with the organizations we were negotiating with. We have added one additional point. According to it, we are forming a group that will monthly monitor the implementation of the agreement and discuss all issues that seem important from the point of view of the development of the sector, the preparation of laws, the financial provision of the measures and everything important for farmers.
Prime Minister Nikolay Denkov announced this at a briefing after a meeting with representatives of branch organizations of agricultural producers. It took place in the Council of Ministers, and was attended by the Minister of Agriculture Kiril Vatev.
“Representatives of other branch organizations from agriculture will also participate in this working group, if they wish,” added Agriculture Minister Kiril Vatev.
This was reached on Friday after another confrontation between the farmers and the government, when it became clear that there was already an understanding on the three types of points of the declaration, which had been set in advance by the Bulgarian Agrarian Chamber.
“We signed an agreement, which was essentially already discussed with all organizations within the Bulgarian Agrarian Chamber, as well as with their members. It concerns all farmers,” said Iliya Prodanov, chairman of the National Association of Grain Producers.
He thanked everyone involved and expressed hope that what was done would benefit all farmers, despite the hard work.
Kostadin Kostadinov, chairman of the Bulgarian Agrarian Chamber, explained that this is something new, it started from scratch and they have come a long way.
“Laws are very important, I hope everything will happen this year,” he added.
“Everything went with a lot of tension, with a lot of difficulties. I think we don’t put a full stop, we put a comma, since we have left a lot of work in the coming months. The best thing is that maybe next week, maybe even earlier this reception will be prepared using the funds we agreed on for the entire agricultural sector, for all producers, especially in this period they need,” said Simeon Karakolev, co-chairman of the National Sheep and Goat Breeding Association.
Regarding the demands of the farmers who remain on strike alert, Minister Vatev explained that their demands exist in this declaration. The farmers’ problems were no different.
“Regarding payments, the money always seems to be less for the one who wants to receive it. Regarding the legislative part, they are always welcome, we are open, the advisory councils are there, let them propose ideas,” Vatev explained.
“Let’s sort things out. Everyone has the right to protest within the framework of the law, so whoever wants to protest, but don’t violate it,” added the prime minister regarding the farmers who intend to continue with the protests.
Earlier today, an initiative committee, including 26 branch organizations from the “Agriculture” sector, at a press conference in BTA, presented their declaration with detailed requests to save Bulgarian agriculture. The initiative committee does not support the agreements reached during the series of meetings between representatives of the Bulgarian government and several agricultural organizations.
The Prime Minister recalled that demands were made by the farmers regarding their problems. All of them were reflected in the agreement.
“If someone has any claims, let them read them first. I advise the minister to give a day for reflection and for these people to read what is written inside and then to schedule talks on specific requests,” urged Denkov.
“Of course the request as to whether or not he should resign is not up to him. If they want to send me or Ms. Gabriel a letter with specific demands, what are their arguments that are not already addressed in the agreement because I think , that everything is already,” concluded Denkov.
The executive director of the “Agriculture” fund, Georgi Tahov, assured that all financial parameters that have been agreed upon will be reflected to all farmers, regardless of which branch organization they belong to.
It was the same with the legislative changes
“This is a branch, with certain demands, and how these demands are reformulated is another topic,” he added.