Possible Restructuring of Agricultural Administration Will Not Come at Expense of Specialized Units

Valentin Evstatiev, BTA correspondent Denitsa Kyuchukova

Agriculture and Food Minister Plamen Abrovski symbolically launches the grape harvest during a tour of wineries in the Melnik, Petrich and Sandanski areas in Southwestern Bulgaria, September 10, 2026 (BTA Photo/Denitsa Kyuchukova)

Sandanski, Southwestern Bulgaria,

10.09.2026 16:23

(BTA)

The aim of the possible restructuring of Bulgaria's agricultural administration is to streamline the general administration, but not at the expense of specialized units, Agriculture and Food Minister Plamen Abrovski said on Thursday. He made the statement during a tour of wineries in the Melnik, Petrich and Sandanski areas in Southwestern Bulgaria, where he symbolically launched the grape harvest.

Abrovski said that if the Executive Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture is restructured and merged with another body, then controls along the Black Sea coast, the Danube and inland areas will not be reduced but strengthened.

The minister said that talks with the European Commission have been held before any action is taken. It has been explained that controls along the northern and southern sections of Bulgaria's Black Sea coast will be maintained and even strengthened, while teams from the forestry authorities — the Executive Forests Agency — will provide additional capacity for inspections inland and along the Danube.

According to Abrovski, the two agencies largely perform control functions in the same locations. The aim of the possible restructuring is to streamline the general administration, but not at the expense of specialized administration. The minister said preliminary data indicate that the Executive Agency for Fisheries and Aquaculture is expected to reduce its general administration by around 26 staff members, while the specialized control administration will be fully retained.

He stressed that fishermen will not be disadvantaged, as the officials they currently work with will continue to perform their duties. "We want to strengthen controls. Controls will continue, they will be streamlined and they will remain at the required level," the minister said.

He further noted that enhanced checks are being carried out on grape imports into Bulgaria. The inspections are being conducted jointly with the Customs Agency and the National Revenue Agency and cover not only grapes but all seasonal fruit and vegetables entering the country. Officials are checking the documentation, origin and prices of the produce, the minister said.

According to Abrovski, phytosanitary controls are being carried out one hundred per cent, along with laboratory testing, to ensure that produce entering Bulgaria meets quality requirements. At present, wine grapes are imported mainly from Turkiye, the minister said. He added that, regarding imports from third countries, talks are being held with the authorities in the countries of origin, including on checks of declared prices.

"We cannot close our borders, but we can ensure that the price at which produce enters the country is appropriate and that its quality meets all requirements," the minister said.

He said that checks have raised doubts about the price of some imported grapes and that the Bulgarian authorities are therefore taking action within their legal powers.

/MR/