site.bta"Natural Essential Oils Are Not Hazardous," Deputy Agriculture Minister Argues about Proposed Revision to EU Regulation

"We believe that natural essential oils cannot be brought under a common denominator with synthetic ones," Bulgarian Deputy Agriculture Minister Georgi Sabev said in a BTA interview here on Tuesday.

His comments were prompted by a European Commission proposal for a revision of EU Regulation 1272/2008 as regards hazard classes and criteria for the classification, labelling and packaging (CLP) of substances and mixtures which, according to stakeholders, poses "an existential threat" to essential oils. Rose oil may be banned because it contains methyl eugenol even if the toxicology concern generated by individual components may be scientifically shown to be absent in the full oil.

"We are actively communicating with the industry, with the Bulgarian National Association of Essential Oils, Perfumery and Cosmetics and with growers," the Deputy Minister said. His Ministry is in coordination with the Economy and Industry Ministry, which is the lead institution on the matter, he explained. "Partnership with France is especially important, and when local communities together with central-government administration concur, I believe that a sustainable solution will be found: to keep Bulgarian natural essential oils out of the scope of chemically produced oils," Sabev said. "It is difficult to assume that a product that has so many centuries of history behind it can all of a sudden be defined as hazardous to end consumer health, and we will stand up for this position together with our colleagues at the respective EU levels," the Deputy Minister said.

He pointed out that nearly half of the several thousand rose growers in Bulgaria are small holdings farming up to 0.5 ha each. In his words, a jolt on the finished product market would definitely impact the local economy, which should be central to the discussions on the possible consequences of such a revision of the Regulation.

In Kazanlak, Sabev attended an international conference on the challenges to the fragrance industry and the effects of the adoption of the proposed amendments.

The Deputy Minister commented on other problems facing the agricultural sector. The lack of manpower is the worst problem for Bulgarian agriculture in the medium and long term, he pointed out. As possible solutions, Sabev listed hiring labour from other sectors or recruiting willing and healthy retirees. Another significant reserve is attracting Bulgarians who work in farming in other EU Member States.

"The Agriculture Ministry has initiated a working group and has signed an agreement with NGOs and trade unions. We want to engage in regular dialogue with business," he said.