Grain producers blocked Rousse-Pleven road (update)

Grain producers from Veliko Tarnovo region on March 13 blocked the road Pleven – Rouse in the area of the village of Gorna Studena.

The reason for the discontent is the import of Ukrainian grain, which, according to them, undercuts the prices on the Bulgarian market.

The protest is against the Strategic Development Plan for the agricultural sector, which has been approved by the European Commission.

The farmers gathered in the village of Aleksandrovo in Svishtov with tractors and heavy agricultural equipment.

They are adamant that their protest will be indefinite until their demands are heard.

Grain producers said that the import of Ukrainian grain literally causes the sector in collapse, and because of it they are forced to sell their product at very low price.

"It's a problem because we have nowhere to sell our product," said farmer Petar Rafailov.

"All our colleagues have their warehouses full of grain, grain is imported indiscriminately from Ukraine, we produce grain enough to feed three countries the size of Bulgaria," adds his colleague Hristo Vassilev.

According to the protesters, the European Commission's strategic plan is unworkable in Bulgaria and will lead small and medium-sized producers to bankruptcy.

The farmers also prepared a protest note which they sent to the caretaker Prime Minister and the relevant minister.

"First point - to stop the import of agricultural products from Ukraine, second point - the strategic plan. If they can't stop it, then at least postpone it for a year or two, explain it to us, because it is not applicable in our climatic conditions," Dimitrov said.

The protest continues. Some of the agricultural equipment will remain next to the main road Pleven - Rouse until the farmers' demands are met.

In an official position, the Ministry of Agriculture said that with regard to the import of cereals, Bulgaria is the first country within the Council of Agriculture Ministers that has requested the opening of the crisis reserve and is currently awaiting the Commission's decision.