19.09.2023
Bulgaria will let the import of sunflower seeds from Ukraine after Bulgarian farmers and processors agree among themselves on the exact quantities that need to be imported additionally. The goal is to guarantee the full volume of production of oil while the produce of Bulgarian farmers enjoys priority on the market. This was agreed today at the meeting of Prime Minister Acad. Nikolai Denkov with delegates of the initiative committee of the protesting farmers. The Minister of Agriculture and Food Kiril Vatev and the Minister of Finance Assen Vassilev attended the discussion.
Prime Minister Acad. Nikolai Denkov is to inform his Ukrainian counterpart about the Bulgarian farmers’ request to discontinue the import of sunflower seeds from Ukraine as long as the quota for Bulgaria is specified. Regarding the other products, negotiations are currently underway between the European Commission and Kyiv, in which the ministers of agriculture of the EU member states participate. Prime Minister Acad. Nikolai Denkov drew attention to the fact that so far no problems had been identified regarding the quality of products imported from Ukraine.
The government makes a commitment to satisfy the farmers' demand for faster payment of state aids to overcome the negative economic impact of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. The full amount of BGN 213 million will be paid by the end of this month. The Ministry of Agriculture will, inter alia, shorten the deadline for submitting applications for failed farmland, as the funds under this measure have already been secured.
Tomorrow the Ministry of Agriculture will provide an estimate, on the basis of which the Ministry of Finance will assess whether it is possible to secure additional funds from the budget under the "de minimis" aid.
The issue of dairy producers was also considered to see whether the ceiling that needs to have been reached in the deliveries to be eligible for aids could be made lower. A legal analysis is to be made on the subject, on the basis of which it will be assessed whether a force majeure can be proven or whether other legal grounds will have to be sought.
