Bulgarian Farmers’ Association Opposes Annual Cap on EU Subsidies

The Bulgarian Association of Agricultural Producers (BAAP) has opposed plans of the government to impose a 300 000 euros cap on the annual amount of area-based direct payments.

The BAAP said in a media statement on Sunday that it backed the proposal for a progressive decrease in the amount of subsidies under the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) as it was more a balanced solution for farmers from all categories.

The BAAP, as cited by mediapool.bg, added that it had not taken part in a working group formed to discuss the new direct payments.

The Association expressed support for the scenario envisaging a progressive decrease in the amount of subsidies under which sums of 150 000 – 300 000 euros were to be reduced by 5% and sums of over 300 000 euros by 10%, with the expenses for salaries, social security payments and taxes had to be deducted prior to the decrease.

The BAAP said that this scenario included detailed calculations by experts at the Agriculture Ministry in order to ensure a fair and objective decrease in subsidies for small, medium and big farms.