A total of €414 million of EU agricultural policy funds unduly spent by Member States is being claimed back by the European Commission today under the so-called clearance of accounts procedure. Member States are responsible for paying out and checking expenditure under the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), and the Commission is required to ensure that Member States have made correct use...
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The European Commission is bringing together experts to advise a new partnership in agriculture research and innovation. The European Innovation Partnership (EIP) "Agricultural Productivity and Sustainability" was set up to help meet the challenges of food security, sustainable resource management and environment preservation. The EIP aims to ensure faster transfer of innovative research...
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The causes of death are numerous, but beekeepers expect realizable measures During the regular meeting of the Committee on Agriculture and Rural development, was presented a study on neonicotinoid insecticides, prepared by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Bulgarian MEP Mariya Gabriel (EPP / GERB) actively participated in the debate on the subject with the members of...
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The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation into a number of public support measures granted by Estonia in favour of its flag carrier airline Estonian Air. At this stage, the Commission has doubts whether these measures are in line with EU state aid rules. The opening of an in-depth investigation gives interested third parties an opportunity to comment on the measures under...
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Nestlé has removed beef pasta meals sold under its Buitoni brand from sale in Italy and Spain after finding traces of horsemeat, becoming the latest company embroiled in a food scandal spreading across Europe. The world's biggest food company, which last week said its products had not been affected by the scandal, stressed its decision to withdraw the products came after tests over...
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A new ordinance on enforcing the rules about organic farming and control over production and labeling of organic products was promulgated in the Official Gazette. The ordinance revokes Ordinance 22 dated July 4, 2001 for the organic production of plants, plant products and foods of plant origin and its marking on them, and Ordinance 35 dated August 30, 2001 on the organic farming of animals...
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107 projects will be financed with a total subsidy of BGN 26 661 252 under Measure 121 Modernization of Agricultural Holdings of the Rural Development Programme. The projects involve the purchase of equipment for the production of apricots, cherries, plums, peaches, apples and potatoes. A further nine vine growing projects will be supported. A beneficiary of Rodopi municipality will invest...
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A total of BGN 841 592 302 on 83,823 applications has been paid based on the area per the Land Parcel Identification System (LPIS) approved by the Minister of Agriculture and Food with Order RD 09-4 as of 03.01.2013. Complaints against the determined admissible areas were accepted by February 14. After reviewing the complaints, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food will present with State...
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Conservationists angered by efforts to “gut” Europe’s future farm policy are banking on the full European Parliament to protect the environmental standards proposed by the European Commission. With the full Parliament due to vote on the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) the night of 12 March, environmental campaigners hope for a change of course after the Parliament’s...
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Bulgaria is one of the EU countries with the highest percentage of preserved Natura 2000 areas, but this rich heritage should be nurtured and be used to the benefit of both people and nature, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Svetlana Boyanova told a roundtable in Nürnberg, Germany. The discussion, entitled Organic Agriculture - Horizons 2020, was attended by European...
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Bulgaria has not imported horsemeat from Romania, Minister of Agriculture and Food Dr. Miroslav Naydenov said in Sopot citing information from the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency. The data matches reports from the EU’s Information Exchange System. At a European level, the issue is that horsemeat should be labeled on the packaging so that consumers are not misled into taking it for beef;...
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Executive Agency for Selection and Reproduction in Animal Husbandry chief Prof. Vasil Nikolov and stockbreeding industry groups sealed a sheep breeding cooperation agreement with French colleagues. ‘This cooperation will give a new start to Bulgarian sheep breeding and will open new market niches,’ said Minister of Agriculture and Food Dr. Miroslav Naydenov during the signing....
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The Ministry of Agriculture and Food launches a competition for the selection of a logo and slogan for the new programme period of the Rural Development Programme 2014-2020. Eligible participants should be interested in and knowledgeable of graphic design. Proposals can be submitted between February 11 and 21 on the official website of the competition at www.prsr-konkurs.eu. The winner...
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New equipment will be purchased through subsidies under Measure 121 Modernization of Agricultural Holdings of the Rural Development Programme. The aid amounts to BGN 18 482 930. The vast majority of the proposals, 62, concern orchard growing holdings such as apples, plums, cherries, apricots, peaches and grapes. A couple of farms will spend the subsidies on organic production of roses,...
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The European Union dropped its ban on some US meat imports on Monday (4 February) in a gesture aimed at starting talks on a free-trade pact that would encompass about half the world's economic output. Brussels and Washington want to deepen a relationship that accounts for a third of global trade, and ending the EU import ban on live pigs and beef washed in lactic acid is meant to show the...
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