In relation to the position expressed Tuesday by branch organizations in the livestock breeding sector, the Agriculture and Food Ministry said in a press release that together with the Government, they are implementing strictly the commitments made under the Memorandum signed with agricultural producers and stock breeders on September 20. The team of the Agriculture Ministry and its competent agencies are in constant dialogue with all branch organizations, and targeted efforts are made to implement all of the Memorandum's provisions in the shortest time possible.
The payment of the promised resources is being done in an accelerated fashion, the press release reads. Since September 20, a total of BGN 200,893,000 have been paid.
On September 28, State Fund Agriculture paid 34,695 agricultural producers a total of BGN 179,325,404 under the state aid supporting agricultural producers' liquidity for overcoming the negative economic impact of the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Under the Memorandum, the payment had to be made by September 30.
The aid's budget for 2023 was increased to BGN 426,000,000. Since January 1, a total of BGN 381,613,472 have been paid to 35,365 agricultural producers; the remaining BGN 44,386,527 will be redistributed after the aid ceiling (up to EUR 250,000) is lifted. On October 23, Agriculture Minister Kiril Vatev received full support from European Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski for an extension of the aid into 2024 and for a raise of the aid ceiling. The two met in relation to the Memorandum's implemented.
Also paid earlier than required were the resources under the state aid for damages to agricultural produce caused by unfavourable climate conditions comparable to natural disasters. State Fund Agriculture has paid 786 agricultural producers who have applied under the scheme a total of BGN 21,568,331. Under the Memorandum, 708 farmers received BGN 17,735,482 on September 28 and another 78 farmers received BGN 3,832,848 on October 19.
In implementation of the commitments made, at its latest sitting the Council of Ministers allocated BGN 27.5 million, which together with the BGN 20 million already paid by State Fund Agriculture provide a total of BGN 47.5 million in de minimis aid. Branch representatives have been invited to participate in a working group that will develop the methods for the resources' payment.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food is working actively on the implementation of all commitments under the Memorandum, the press release reads.
/NZ/
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