site.btaBulgaria Attends EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council Meeting

Improving the position of farmers in the food supply chain is among Bulgaria's priorities in the field of agriculture, Agriculture Minister Georgi Tahov told the EU's Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH) in Brussels, quoted in a press release from his Ministry on Tuesday.

"There is a need to refine the texts on contracts between farmers and buyers, to make written contracts a general obligation, and to introduce mandatory mediation mechanisms between farmers and buyers," Tahov said during a debate on amending the Common Market Organisation Regulation. Bulgaria proposed that the amount of financial support for producer groups and organisations other than in the fruit and vegetable sector be increased to 10% of the value of marketed produce.

On the topic of improving the green architecture of the Common Agricultural Policy, Tahov pointed out that it could be envisaged that the payment could go beyond the compensatory nature by providing an additional incentive for farmers. Changes in environmental commitments should aim at fair financial incentives to be provided to farmers on the basis of effectively measurable activities that benefit the environment and society in a clear methodology, Bulgaria's Agriculture Minister said. He stressed the need for more flexibility in planning agri-environmental commitments to increase the effectiveness of strategic plans.

In view of the forthcoming revision of measures under the Ukraine-EU Association Agreement, Tahov stressed that it is essential for Bulgaria  to negotiate equivalent standards for the production of agricultural products and effective safeguards and protective clauses for products that are sensitive for the EU market or for individual Member States. The Agriculture Minister stressed the need to have active monitoring and to have working instruments in place that can be activated in a timely manner if necessary to protect the European market. "We call on the Commission to adopt a balanced and sustainable approach that takes into account the needs of the EU agricultural sector," he added.

During a debate on the need to more effectively combat unfair trading practices and prevent abuse of dominant position in the food supply chain, Minister Tahov expressed support for the proposal for analysis and consultation by the European Commission with farmers and other stakeholders. "Farmers' work must be rewarded and protected along the supply chain to preserve their livelihoods and viability to ensure food security in our countries," he said.