The Government apologizes to farmers ifthey felt cheated by the financial framework in the sector, said the Minister of Agriculture and Food Miroslav Naydenov to the Council of Ministers after meeting with Prime Minister on 30 November. The meeting was attended by representatives of the protesters. The financial and economic situation currently does not allow for the initially agreed framework to be carried outand this was clearly spelled outat the meeting. The only thing that can be ensured bythe government is a notification of the reduction of exciseduties on fuel. For this purpose during the next financial year a total of BGN70 million is providedin compensation. In 2013, BGN84 millionwill be needed for the same purpose while in2014 – the overall amount will go up to BGN93 million. From the words of Naydenov it became clear that farmers will receive vouchers for low-excisefuel. Only those of themwho keep proper accounts and have the necessary registrationwill be able to benefit form it, said the Minister.
Mr. Naydenov explained that funds for agriculture this year were BGN1 ,066,488,980 againstBGN 1,258,130,243 for 2012, which is by BGN200 million more and in times of economic crisis. He stressed out that the resources fordirect area payments for 2010 were BGN861 million and for 2011 were raised to BGN882 ,388,453 leva. This shows again that there is an increase in direct payments byBGN20 million.
Requests for additional payments to farmers will not be satisfied, said Finance Minister Simeon Dyankov , who also participated in talks with the Prime Minister. There is no money for this purpose in the budget. In his words, a change in the macroeconomic framework for 2012is not needed, due to the BGN70 million for reductionson fuel excise. The system will work withvouchers that have already been printed.
