In 10 months, the Ministry of Agriculture managed to develop seven laws, four of which are zoning laws and three new ones, the Deputy Minister of Agriculture said at a forum
“Business has an interest in producing quality and safe food in order to reach and stay on the market. Therefore, self-control is the basis of consumer confidence and the entire food industry rests on it.” This was stated by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Alexander Yotsev during the 6th annual Forum “Responsible Production and Trade” of the publication “Manager”.
During the forum, in which representatives of branch organizations of producers, processors, traders and consumers took part, it became clear that more and more opportunities are opening up on the Bulgarian market for the realization of the production of native producers under competitive conditions with others and guaranteeing security, clarity and predictability regarding raw materials, products, volumes. It was emphasized that the main thing is the maintenance of the international and European systems and standards for quality that guarantees the security of the user and increases his confidence.
In this context, Deputy Minister Yotsev pointed out that the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency successfully fulfills its functions in terms of guaranteeing food safety in its role as an official state control. The industry expressed support for the implementation of official state control by the BFSA and pointed out that there is a very good level of regulation and control in terms of food safety.
The topic of the need to update production standards was also raised at the forum, distinguishing between industry and national standards. Deputy Minister Yotsev recalled that the Ministry of Agriculture and Food initiated a review process of national food standards and the renewal of those that do not comply with changes in European and national legislation. He recalled that the “BDS” brand, which has won the trust of the consumer, is a voluntary national standard and specified that there are currently no official and mandatory state standards for food production in Bulgaria.
Regarding policies on the agri-food chain, the Deputy Minister pointed out that in the nearly ten months in office, the team of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food managed to develop seven laws, four of which were enactments and three new ones, and managed to move them to varying degrees readiness – from interdepartmental coordination and approval by the Council of Ministers to the second reading in the National Assembly. Deputy Minister Yotsev emphasized that the focus of the changes made is in the direction of the market and business vision for the sector, and among the more significant ones are those in the Food Law and the Bill on the supply chain of agricultural products and food.
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