„We protect agricultural producers and the public interest. We were guided solely by this goal when drafting the bill“. This was stated by the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Dr. Georgi Tahov, at a meeting with representatives of retail chains and consumer organizations at the Ministry of Agriculture today. The participants in the meeting were thoroughly familiar with the proposals contained in the concept of the draft Law on the Supply Chain of Agricultural Products and Food.
Minister Tahov emphasized the importance of chains as part of the global trading system and the opportunity they provide to Bulgarian agricultural producers - to sell their production through them. Regarding the draft law, the Minister of Agriculture announced that it has not yet been finalized, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food will take into account all points of view during the discussion. He assured that all constructive suggestions made by stakeholders will be taken into account. “We expect feedback and opinions by the end of next week from all those who participated in the discussions on the draft“, said Minister Tahov.
A little over a month ago, the Ministry was assigned to prepare a draft law on the supply chain. According to him, the debate on the problems of participants in the agri-food chain should have been held a long time ago. “Discussions with stakeholders outline the needs of all participants in the chain - agricultural producers, traders and consumers“, was categorical Minister Tahov.
He announced that the Ministry of Agriculture will soon begin work on a draft Law on Cooperatives, which will be developed as soon as possible. “The state must provide an environment for association and cooperation of agricultural producers, which will strengthen the positions of farmers in institutional and trade talks“, emphasized Dr. Tahov. In this direction, an intervention from the Strategic Plan for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas in the Republic of Bulgaria for the period 2023 - 2027 will also be implemented.
The meeting was attended by members of the Association for Modern Trade, representatives of retail chains, as well as the Association “Active Consumers“.