The Minister of Agriculture and Food Dr. Georgi Takhov asked by the European Commission protective measures against the import of honey originating from Ukraine into Bulgaria. This happened during the meeting of the EU Council on Agriculture and Fisheries, which took place in Brussels, Belgium. The appeal of our country was also supported by Romania. Minister Takhov emphasized that the import of Ukrainian honey makes it difficult to realize the local production. He pointed out that the significant quantities of Ukrainian copper at very low prices entering the European market put a lot of pressure on the prices of Bulgarian copper. “In addition to the many challenges facing the sector, in the last three years it has also faced competition from imports from Ukraine. "The amount of honey imported from Ukraine to our country from January to October 2024 is more than 30% more, compared to the same period last year," he added. According to him, the high levels of imports from Ukraine put the producers in Bulgaria in a difficult position.
During the meeting, the ministers discussed the challenges and future prospects in the various agricultural sectors. With regard to cereals and oilseed crops, Minister Takhov announced that in Bulgaria there is a decrease in the production of sunflower and corn - respectively by 11.5% and by 38.1% on an annual basis. “This is due to the dry and hot weather during the summer months, which led to a serious reduction in the average yields per hectare of the spring crops. The purchase prices at the end of October 2024. are unable to compensate for this decrease. In this way, a serious negative financial result and irreparable losses are formed for the farmers, emphasized Dr. Georgi Tahov. He noted that disruptions continue to be observed on the egg market in our country as a result of sharply increased imports from Ukraine.
During his visit to Brussels, at the invitation of the Minister of Agriculture of Hungary, Minister Tahov participated in a meeting with the Ministers of Agriculture of Member States near the border with Ukraine and the Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Ukraine Vitaly Koval. At the meeting, the ministers discussed the Commission's upcoming proposal to amend Article 29 of the Association Agreement of Ukraine with the EU. Minister Takhov pointed out that in recent years the situation on the market of agricultural products in the EU, especially in the countries near the border with Ukraine, has been characterized by a high level of uncertainty and instability. According to him, this creates tension among producers and negatively affects the sector as a whole. "Finding a long-term solution is key to achieving stability and predictability in the sector. This decision must be balanced and reflect the interests of all parties", Minister Takhov was categorical. Our country and 11 other countries supported Spain's request to apply the N+3 rule, instead of the originally envisaged N+2, regarding the spending of funds from the rural development fund in the CAP Strategic Plans. The Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture stated that in this way flexibility will be ensured for the member states to plan and implement their Strategic Plan more effectively.
At the meeting, the European Commission presented the proposal for a Council Regulation defining for 2025 fishing opportunities in the Mediterranean and the Black Sea. Minister Takhov indicated that he expects the fishing opportunities for the Black Sea to be based on available scientific advice and to take into account the socio-economic aspect of turbot and sprat fishing. The Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture was categorical that the proposal for a Regulation takes into account the continuing complicated situation in the Black Sea, as a result of the war in Ukraine. He expressed hope that the unspent quantities of turbot quota will be reflected in it. “Common goals for sustainable management of shared stocks can only be achieved with joint and reciprocal actions by all Black Sea coastal states”, Dr. Georgi Tahov also said.
The Ministers of Agriculture also discussed the preparation of a Strategy for improving the production and use of protein crops at the European level. Minister Tahov said that our country supports the development of a comprehensive strategy to build on the effect and results of the instruments applied so far, aimed at supporting the production of protein crops.