site.btaBulgaria Insists on Sufficient EU Support for Farming Sector at this Difficult Moment

Addressing an EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting in Brussels on Monday, Bulgarian Agriculture Minister Ivan Ivanov proposed raising the individual and national de mininimis ceilings and continued emergency aid as measures to ensure sufficient support for the farming sector at this difficult moment, Ivanov's Ministry said in a press release.

While backing the European Commission's proposal for a delegated regulation intended to provide emergency support to agricultural producers to adapt in crisis conditions, Ivanov noted that the proposed eligibility criteria would limit the range of farmers in Bulgaria who could benefit from this measure and may leave part of the most vulnerable holdings unaided. Bulgaria backs the EC-proposed increase of advances and derogations related to the conditions for the application of green direct payments in 2022.

The Agriculture Minister said that Bulgaria also welcomes the inclusion of agriculture, fisheries and aquaculture into the Temporary Framework for State aid measures to remedy the liquidity shortage similar to those in the COVID-19 Temporary Framework. In his words, Bulgaria's experience shows that this instrument is suitable for providing timely and targeted support to the most disturbed sectors. Ivanov noted, though, that the 20,000 euro ceiling is considerably lower than the COVID-10 Framework ceiling and will prevent Member States from extending adequate support to the sectors affected. "We propose that this measure should not be subject to any ceiling or, if there should be a ceiling, it be raised significantly," Ivanov added.

He commented that Bulgaria has now reached its national de minimis aid ceiling and, therefore, this support option cannot be effectively used. "At the same time, we consider this an efficient instrument enabling Member States to cope quickly with the short-term adverse effects of unexpected events. That is why we propose the individual and national ceilings to be raised," the Minister pointed out.

During the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting, Ivanov held talks with French Agriculture and Food Minister Julien Denormandie (rotating President of the Council), Romanian Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Adrian Chesnoiu, Danish Food, Agriculture and Fisheries Minister Rasmus Prehn, Croatian Agriculture Minister Marija Vučković, and Greek Rural Development and Food Minister Georgios Georgantas, the press release said.