BRUSSELS/STRASBOURG – The European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Christophe Hansen will be in Bulgaria this week for meetings with government representatives and agricultural organizations. In an interview with BTA, the commissioner explained that he would like to meet with Bulgarian farmers to better understand the challenges they face.
According to him, Bulgaria will have significant funds in the next multiannual EU budget until 2034, with 65 percent of the funds still not allocated to specific projects. There are sufficient funds for farmers, he said. The commissioner noted that 6.2 billion euros are allocated for Bulgaria under the future Common Agricultural Policy, and 19.5 billion euros under the partnership plans.
Hansen pointed out that direct payments to farmers and environmental protection schemes are maintained in the new multiannual common budget, as well as support for investments in agriculture. We have preserved 80 percent of the previous Common Agricultural Policy – 300 billion euros, the European Commissioner explained.
He indicated that the war in Ukraine has affected the European market, but measures have been introduced to safeguard the interests of European farmers and livestock breeders. Hansen clarified that Ukraine has until 2028 to implement changes to align its agricultural conditions with European ones; otherwise, it will face a halt in imports to the EU market. According to him, the measures taken in the meantime by the European side have led to a fivefold reduction in the import of goods, which has impacted the EU market.
The European Commissioner noted that the EC’s proposals to reduce bureaucracy in agriculture could save European producers 1.6 billion euros annually. I hope the European Parliament will vote on its position this week, he said, expressing hope that the subsequent trilateral negotiations in European institutions will conclude quickly.
We want EU funds to reach the accounts of those who cultivate the land and produce, which has not always been the case so far, Hansen pointed out. We propose to improve the link between the provided aid and production, he explained. According to him, the new Common Agricultural Policy will be much simplified and will facilitate checks for abuses. I am convinced that this will reduce the risk of misuse of European funds, summarized Commissioner Hansen. (October 6)
