Free trade agreements with third countries should include a reciprocity clause in production standards
Agriculture ministers in the EU discussed today at meetings the need for quick and effective responses to the current crisis situation in the agricultural sector. Their meeting takes place against the backdrop of determined protests by Belgian farmerswhich reached the heart of the capital today.
Minister Kiril Vatev recalled that in Bulgaria there were also farmers’ protests and stated that the European Commission should make a comprehensive assessment of the legislation of The Green Deal and its impact on agriculture in the European Union. Along with this, it is necessary to provide for a reciprocity clause in free trade agreements to ensure that identical production standards for food quality and safety are observed on both sides.
He added that the measures proposed by the EC to reduce the administrative burden for farmers are a step in the right direction, but we believe that they could be more ambitious. Minister Vatev commented on the conditionality that there should be a comprehensive review of the requirements of all standards for maintaining the land in good agricultural and ecological condition and their ecological benefit against the background of the dynamics of climate change, market imbalances and economic sustainability of the food sector .
Minister Vatev said that we support the amendment of DZES 1, which will to some extent relieve livestock breeders in the context of restructuring their activities. With regard to EU 6 Minister Vatev said that Bulgaria supports the proposal to review the possible agricultural practices to ensure soil protection with plant cover.
Bulgaria continues to insist on the revision of ETS 7 and 8 standards in 2024 as well, considering that diversification has no less a role than rotation in achieving the environmental goal of the standards, and at the same time controlling it administratively is more acceptable , the minister pointed out.
He emphasized that, in addition, a number of administrative measures can be taken in the short term, one of the priority measures being the postponement of the deadline by which the Area Monitoring System should be fully functional.
The minister pointed out that in the face of growing challenges, the EU needs a stable system to guarantee security of supply and food availability for citizens, as well as the livelihood of farmers. In this regard, it is essential to achieve equalization in the levels of direct payments.
“Bulgaria expresses readiness for assistance in the upcoming process of simplification, and we expect specific proposals from the EC for each of the mentioned measures, in order to compensate the losses of farmers,” Minister Vatev said in conclusion.
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