site.btaWork Is Underway to Ensure Farmers Affected by Disease Outbreaks Are Fully Compensated by Year-End - PM

Speaking at a working meeting with the leadership of the National Sheep and Goat Breeding Association and Agriculture and Food Minister Georgi Tahov, Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov has said that work is underway to ensure that owners of farms affected by diseases in small ruminants are fully compensated by the end of 2025, the Government Information Service said on Monday. 

Zhelyazkov added that the measures taken by the State during the spring and summer to contain the diseases have produced positive results. In his words, veterinary authorities and the scientific community must monitor early indicators of a potential new outbreak, and the measures should remain in force to protect the livelihoods of livestock farmers.

Minister Tahov said that the situation is under control, adding that from 100 declared outbreaks of diseases in small ruminants during the summer, the number fell to four in November. This supports the position that vaccination of the animals is currently unnecessary, he noted.

The meeting also addressed access to financing for small and vulnerable farmers. A proposed amendment to the Agricultural Producers Support Act is expected to raise the guarantee coverage threshold from 50% to 80% for guarantees issued by the National Guarantee Fund under the Rural Development Programme 2014–2020 and the Strategic Plan 2023–2027.

The sides also discussed work being done on two bills in the agriculture sector - one concerning cooperatives and the other concerning industry organizations, the press release said.