PM Denkov to farmers: We will not allow sunflower seeds imports from Ukraine until quota is set

In the late afternoon on September 19, the protesting farmers moved in front of the Council of Ministers, where they were invited to a meeting. After 3 hours of talks, the news came that a temporary ban on sunflower seeds imports from Ukraine was being imposed. Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov described the discussion as lively and at times tense.

Protesting farmers in talks with PM and two ministers

After a full day of protest and several hours of talks with farmers, the Prime Minister assured that he would talk to his Ukrainian counterpart about sunflower seeds imports.

"In the near future, we will not allow imports of sunflower seeds from Ukraine," said PM Nikolai Denkov.

"Sunflower seeds imports will be allowed when there are clear quantities that have been agreed between farmers and the processing industry so that it is clear exactly how much sunflower seeds should be imported into the country so that oil production does not stop. Budget revenues will not be harmed," said Assen Vassilev, Minister of Finance.

"Prime Minister Denkov undertook that sunflower will not enter Bulgaria until these mechanisms are regulated. This is very important for us," said Iliya Prodanov - initiative committee of the protesters.

"Regarding the other products, negotiations are also underway between the EC and Ukraine on whether other products can be included, as mentioned in point one of the protesters' demands. We will do our best to include them, if not - then on a bilateral basis with Ukraine we will negotiate about them," Denkov added.

About the quality of agricultural products the Prime Minister assured:

"So far no problems have been identified regarding the quality of imported products from Ukraine. They are checked in the same way as products imported from third countries," the PM said.

After 150 million was allocated to farmers weeks ago, the remaining compensation for increased production costs due to the war in Ukraine will be paid by 30 September.

"63 million will be prepared to be allocated by a decree of the Council of Ministers tomorrow, as the ban on grain imports from Ukraine has been lifted, which allows to guarantee the corresponding receipts to the budget," Assen Vassilev added.

"If the protest continues after all the commitments made by the government, I think other conclusions can be drawn," said Kiril Vatev, Minister of Agriculture and Food.

"We still have no confirmation what the budget will be for the regular de minimis aid. Minister Vassilev promised to give the size of the budget tomorrow," said Simeon Karakolev, chairman of the national sheep and goat breeding organisation.

After long arguments among themselves, the farmers did not agree this evening on whether to continue with the protests or not.

"Talks are still going on, passions are high, decisions are not perfect, so we have a whole evening to talk to see what the tractors would do in the morning. - And tomorrow will there be tractors or not? - Well, in the morning we will see," said Ilia Prodanovfrom the initiative committee of the protesters.

The dissatisfied farmers did not make a final decision whether the protest will continue tomorrow or not

The government has also committed that every week the Customs Agency will publish the import and export volumes of the four cereal grain crops and the average declared price.