Prime Minister: An agreement has been signed with farmers

Prime Minister, Acad. Nikolay Denkov, and Minister of Agriculture and Food, Kiril Vatev, on Februry 12 signed an agreement with representatives of branch organisations of farmers.

"We have signed the agreement with the organisations we were negotiating with. We have added to the text that we are forming a group that will monitor the implementation of the agreement on a monthly basis and will discuss all important issues for the development of the sector, the preparation of laws and everything important for the farmers," Prime Minister, Nikolay Denkov, said.

"This working group will also include representatives of other branch organisations from the agriculture sector who wish to participate," said Agriculture Minister Kiril Vatev.

"We have signed an agreement that concerns all farmers. We have finalised a process that has been going on for more than a month and a half, two months," said Iliya Prodanov, the chairman of the National Association of Grain Producers.

During the meeting, an agreement was signed between the government and the sector.

Here is what is written in the document:

The grain sector will be supported at the following modulated rate:

From 1-3000 decares – 20BGN/decare (BGN 10 to 31.3 and BGN 10 to 30.9 )

From 3,000 to 6,000 decares - 10 BGN/decares (5 BGN up to 31.3 and 5 BGN up to 30.9 )

From 6,000 to 10,000 decares - BGN 5/decare (BGN 2,5 up to 31.3 and BGN 2,5 up to 30.9 )

Farms larger than 10,000 decares will receive support for their first 10,000 decares at the above rates.

The second tranche by 30 September will only happen if the Ukraine aid regulation, currently in place until 30 June, is extended.

As regards the legislation, farmers and government agreed on changes to:

- Law on property and use

- The law on lease

- the Law on branch organisations

- the Agrarian Chamber Act

- the Food Trade Act

- the Cooperatives Act

- Corporate Income Tax Act

Regarding "green" and international requirements, the agreement states:

- The Bulgarian state will defend in Europe a position that protects the interests of Bulgarian farmers regarding trade with Ukraine.

- A clear position on the derogation of Good agricultural and environmental conditions 6,7,8 for this business year

- Bulgaria's clear position on pressure in relation to the green deal

During the week, the Prime Minister has undertaken to take into account all the needs of the farmers when drafting next year's budget of the Ministry of Agriculture before its final adoption in the National Assembly.

However, farmers' protests continue. A total of 20 points will be blocked tomorrow by heavy farming equipment at various places in the country.