2024-02-05 10:44:44
Regional organizations by sector will say whether there will be protests
“People want to they protestbecause they are fed up!” With these words of Iliya Prodanov, chairman of the National Association of Grain Producers, today’s meeting ended press conferencegiven by The Bulgarian Agrarian Chamber (BAK). A large part of the presidents of organizations that are members of the chamber took part in it.
Iliya Prodanov explained that currently the 20 unions of NAZ are deciding whether to protest or agree to the government’s proposals. And the offer to the sector is support to receive those grain producers who, in their annual tax declaration to the National Revenue Agency, submitted by the end of February, indicate that the year 2023 was closed at a loss. If this condition is met, the aid will be at two rates. For the first 3000 decares, the subsidy will be BGN 10 per decare paid by the end of March and another BGN 10 by the end of September. For all decares, without restrictions, over the indicated 3000 decares, the subsidy will be BGN 5/acre until March 31 and another BGN 5 until September 30. Funds for the Grain Production sector will be provided by the DF “Agriculture” and the national budget.
Tsvetan Tsekov from the Fruits and Vegetables Branch Chamber said that the proposed rates for the fruit and vegetable sectors are about 60% of the rates at the first Ukrainian aid payment last year. We remind you that the budget for this aid was divided in 2023 into two parts, the first of which was paid by the interim government, and the second by the regular government. Tsekov drew attention to the fact that in the last 3 years the prices of producers have not been increased, something that cannot be said about traders. He said that for the members of this industry chamber to decide not to protest, they should be offered “satisfactory rates”. And 60% of last year’s rate is not satisfactory. Tsvetan Tsekov said that by the end of the day the regional structures will decide whether they accept the government’s proposal or whether they are ready to take to the streets.
Simeon Karakolev, co-chairman of the National Sheep and Goat Association, announced that aid to the Livestock sector is 90% of what was received in the first half of 2023. He drew attention to the legislative program of the Ministry of Agriculture, which is more important than the Ukrainian aid rates. According to him, the changes in the Law on the ownership and use of agricultural lands are of great importance. It is they who can provide pastures for sheep and goats in the land where the farm is located. The sector needs a new Act on Agri-Food Chain Policies to oblige processors to pay for raw materials within a maximum of 30 days after receiving them. “The protest readiness has not been canceled, the negotiations have not ended,” he said.
Atanas Vasilev from the National Association of Bulgarian Vintners stated that it expects from the government a clear and accurate account and methodology for allocating the funds. He announced that the growers are at a loss of BGN 500 per hectare for 2023, and if they did not grow other crops, they would not be able to continue.
Todor Dzhikov, chairman of the National Association of Potato Growers, drew attention to laws that were 20 years late. He also recommended that the European Commission estimate the cost of Ukraine’s entry into the EU and say who will foot the bill.
Our people are also in protest readiness, he assured Nihat Rasim from the National Association of Tobacco Growers. At the moment, however, there are negotiations and there is no one to listen to us. There has to be a dialogue. Because it is easiest to go out and strike, commented Rasim.
Petko Simeonov, chairman of the Association of Beekeepers, stated that the sector has unsold goods since 2022 and is therefore also in strike readiness. Moreover, a large number of beekeepers have already left the sector.
Maria Stepancheva, Chairman of the Association of Bulgarian Buffalo Breeders indicated that the price of raw cow’s milk was reduced by 5 cents from February 1 to 15, and of buffalo milk – by 15 cents. A new reduction is expected from the middle of the month. Milk is imported into the country from the Czech Republic, Hungary and Poland, but according to her, this milk is Ukrainian, which was pre-invoiced in these countries and exported to Bulgaria. She also drew attention to the fact that the EC does not take into account the size of farms in our country, setting a ceiling that has already been reached by a considerable number of animal breeders.
Raspberry producers have been hit by Ukrainian imports, explained the chairman of the Bulgarian Association of Raspberry Producers Bozhidar Petkov. He said that farmers are currently paying electricity costs for frozen raspberries that are in refrigerators and cannot be sold because European markets are already occupied by Ukrainian fruits.
During the press conference, it became clear that at 4 p.m. the BAC Board of Directors will meet again to make the final decision on whether and when there will be protests, or if the farmers will accept the government’s proposals and stay put.
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