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Hundreds of angry farmers took to the streets in Bulgaria’s capital, calling out the government’s “total failure” to tackle growing challenges in the agricultural sector.
Sofia, Bulgaria — Hundreds of angry farmers took to the streets in Bulgaria’s capital Sofia on Monday, calling out the government’s “total failure” to address the agricultural sector’s growing challenges.
They called on Agriculture Minister Kirill Vatev to resign and demand state compensation for high costs and lost income for failing to keep his promise to ease administrative burdens on the agricultural sector.
Like farmers in other parts of Europe, Bulgarian farmers are struggling with heavy-handed European Union regulations, rising fertilizer and energy costs due to Russia’s war in Ukraine, increased agricultural imports flooding the domestic market, and declining agricultural production. They are dissatisfied with their declining abilities. price.
Benzislav Varbanov, head of the Agricultural Producers Association, complained that instead of seeking some relief from farmers, the government is adding to their undue burdens.
“Let me remind you that our interests were not protected even when Ukrainian products flooded us,” he said, referring to cheap products exported from Ukraine. “Also, the Ukrainian war There was no budget guarantee for the losses we suffered.”
“I want to know what will happen tomorrow, next year and the next five years,” Varbanov said, appealing for long-term government policy.
Meanwhile, the Grain Producers Association announced that its members may take part in protests on Tuesday by blocking highways with agricultural vehicles.
The association expressed dissatisfaction with Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov’s statement on compensation demands that only grain producers who can prove losses in 2023 will receive financial support. The association is calling for some form of compensation for all grain producers.
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