Bulgarian Farmers Must Be Equally Treated on EU Market - Agriculture Minister

Sofia, June 4 (BTA) - "The State supports the agricultural
sector, but this support cannot be as large as in the rich
European countries. That is why Bulgaria must struggle for equal
treatment in EU support for this country," Agriculture and Food
Industry Minister Desislsava Taneva told a forum on agriculture
and rural development in Bulgaria, organized by the World Bank
here on Thursday. She pointed to the need of all stakeholders:
NGOs and government officials, to maintain concerted positions
on CAP.

In her opinion, the new EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) is
better than the previous one because it provides Bulgaria with
greater flexibility and far more opportunities to implement
policies adapted to the structure of its agriculture. The
Minister argued that, in order to get equal treatment for
Bulgarian agriculture on the EU market, this country must always
demand and stand up for adaptability of EU policies to national
problems. Otherwise, the EU resources to which Bulgaria is
entitled for direct payments would not be effectively absorbed,
and their effect would not make itself felt as soon as it
should.

In addition to equal treatment, Bulgarian agriculture must also
attain an adequate level of competitiveness on the Community
market, Taneva said. She recalled the crucial importance of the
sector for Bulgaria, as it generates a little over 7 per cent of
permanent employment and contributes to national value added.
In her opinion, Bulgarian agricultural products stand ever
chance of regaining their status as a valuable national brand
even at the end of the present programming period.