Protesting farmers in talks with PM and two ministers

Second day of a national protest by grain growers and other farmers. Today, September 19, they came to the centre of Sofia in front of the Council of Ministers to put forward their demands. Before that they gathered with their tractors near Dolni Bogrov and the Agriculture Minister Kiril Vatev came to the protest personally. In the late afternoon, the protesters held talks with the Prime Minister, the Agriculture Minister and the Finance Minister.

After blocking key intersections in the country yesterday, the protesting farmers headed to the capital together with their tractors overnight. Early this morning, more than 600 tractors were already parked near Dolni Bogrov near Botevgradsko Shosse (Botevgrad road), with traffic in both directions not blocked. Grain growers, as well livestock and vegetable producers gathered, dissatisfied with the government's decisions to make the import Ukrainian agricultural goods into the country possible.

"We are an agricultural country and first of all we have to protect our farmers. If there is any shortage, to add. Apparently the government does not want to talk to us. We have come to defend our rights, said Yancho Prodanov.

At 13:00, the Minister of Agriculture Kiril Vatev came near Dolni Bogrov to talk to the protesters. However, he was greeted with spilled milk and crushed raspberries and strawberries. The farmers wanted to show the minister what will happen to their produce when Bulgaria starts importing Ukrainian agricultural goods.

Minister Vatev described the protest of the farmers as fair, but stressed that their problems are not from yesterday. The government is looking for solutions, which, however, do not suggest a quick result.

"You have five demands addressed to us and the solutions of which have already been found," the agriculture minister said.

These words triggered boos and chants "crooks, resign".

"You want a result and if it is done by shouting, go ahead. I will shout along with you. I sent you two invitations before and after the protest. I am here with my whole team. How many times have you met with the entire ministry team?"

"Our protest has no political demands. We are just defending our cause. We did not come here for money, but to change Bulgarian politics. We are sad for Ukraine, but we are also sad for Bulgarian children," said Ventsislav Varbanov, chairman of the Association of Farmers in Bulgaria.

After 14:30 the farmers left by buses and cars to the Council of Ministers, where they continued their protest and met with Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov, the Finance and Agriculture Minister.

The Bulgarian Greenhouse Growers' Association distanced itself from today's protest by the farmers. In an open letter to the Prime Minister and the media, they said they support the government on its decision to lift the ban on the import of Ukrainian agricultural goods into the country.