site.btaFruit and Vegetable Growers Whose Crops Failed Due to Poor Weather to Receive Aid from European Crisis Reserve

Agriculture Minister Georgi Tahov met with industry representatives in Sofia, the Ministry's press centre said on Tuesday. He announced that farmers in the fruit and vegetable sector whose crops failed this year due to adverse weather conditions will receive EUR 7.4 million in aid from the European crisis reserve.

Tahov explained that, based on the force majeure circumstances and the crisis in the country caused by drought and frost, Bulgaria had managed to defend its request for an additional budget for the sector before the European Commission. According to him, no such support for the industry has been provided so far. "I believe that this amount will be further supplemented to ensure maximum compensation for farmers," the Minister added.

Deputy Minister Yanislav Yanchev announced that the processing of the first group of applications and their review by the Commission had been completed. "All results from the working group's activities have been regularly sent to the State Fund Agriculture, and payments are being made on the basis of these tables and lists of beneficiaries," he explained.

Deputy Minister Ivan Kapitanov summarized that, in accordance with the rules for damaged crop areas, BGN 32.5 million had been paid to 1,824 farmers who grow cherries, sweet cherries and apricots.

During the meeting, the rates for damaged crop areas were discussed, taking into account the technological maps based on production cost values. The Agriculture Minister assured those present that they would receive their due funds, emphasizing that the Ministry is actively working to protect the interests of all farmers.  

Representatives of the Fruit and Vegetable Branch Chamber pointed out that they maintain constructive communication with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, which yields good results. During the meeting, they expressed their desire for priority issues in the sector to be considered on a regional basis in order to identify problem areas and outline measures for finding constructive solutions aimed at achieving sustainable growth in fruit and vegetable production.