site.btaOutgoing Agriculture Minister Ivanov: Approval of Bulgaria's CAP Strategic Plan is of "Highest Priority"

Bulgarian outgoing Agriculture Minister Ivan Ivanov took part in the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council in Brussels on 18 July. At the meeting Ivanov said that 2023 is crucial for the start of the implementation of the new common agricultural policy (CAP) so that the procedure for approval by the EC of Bulgaria's CAP strategic plan is of highest priority. He said the aim is to finalize the process as soon as possible. 

Ivanov noted that the conditions regarding the new green architecture present one of the biggest challenges for the Bulgarian farm producers so that it is important to have clarity of the approved strategic plan soon. 

Ivanov said that a structural dialogue is being conducted in Bulgaria which discusses the separate sections of the strategic plan and their clarification so that steps can be made to reflect EC's observations on the proposed plan. Also, the relevant legislative texts on the plan's implementation have been drafted and are expected to be put up for discussion with farmers. Furthermore, steps have been made regarding the creation of the necessary information systems for the plan's implementation. The first stage of the creation of the area monitoring system has been completed. 

Ivanov said that the current situation in Ukraine requires additional strengthening of the competitiveness of the farming sector to ensure secure food supplies. He argued that the elements of the green architecture should bring about environmental sustainability and take into account the economic and social significance of farming. 

The Bulgarian Agriculture Minister called on the EC to act swiftly in deciding on the derogation regarding greening obligations in 2023 so that farmers could make their production decisions.