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Bulgaria proposes maintaining the existing EU budget policy for agriculture

by AI | 25.Mar 2025 | Europe in brief AI

Minister Georgi Tahov called for equalization in the levels of direct payments for farmers in the community

Photo: Alexandra Antonova, BTA

BRUSSELS – The European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy should remain independent and have a separate budget to ensure the achievement of its goals. This was urged by the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Georgi Tahov, at a meeting of the EU Agriculture and Fisheries Council.

The increasing economic, climate, and political challenges require adequate funding of policies that ensure stability for farmers and sustainable development of the sector, the minister added. According to him, the effective tools of the current policy, including direct payments and coupled support, which play a key role in farmers’ incomes, should be preserved.

We once again call for equalization in the levels of direct payments so that farmers in the EU can be equal and competitive, said Minister Tahov.

He added that global competition requires effective mechanisms to protect European farmers from cheap imports that do not meet the same environmental and hygiene standards. The European Commission should develop more effective mechanisms to protect the internal market, Georgi Tahov also said.

Investments in innovations, digitalization, and sustainable technologies are crucial for the future of European agriculture, the minister noted.

He also called for a revision of the pan-European framework for crisis response so that it meets modern risks and contributes to the stability of the sector.

Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov stated during his participation at the European Council meeting in Brussels last week that some EU countries expect to maintain the EU policy on agriculture and cohesion in light of European plans to increase defense spending. We will insist on preserving the current model of shared responsibility in the management and flexibility of these instruments, he said. (25.03.2025)