Bulgaria insists on the inclusion of safeguard clauses in all free trade agreements in the agricultural sector
SOFIA – Bulgaria insists that safeguard clauses be an integral part of all free trade agreements in the agricultural sector. At a meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council of the European Union in Brussels, Deputy Minister Dr. Lozana Vasileva stated Bulgaria’s position on the document presented by Poland regarding the necessary actions to protect sensitive agricultural sectors in the context of trade agreements with third countries.
The Bulgarian Deputy Minister, quoted in a statement from the Ministry of Agriculture and Food, said that the safeguard clauses must be an integral part of all free trade agreements in the agricultural sector in order to guarantee the temporary suspension of preferences in the event of a threat to EU production caused by excessive imports.
“Our country has repeatedly emphasized the need to apply uniform requirements to goods from the EU and imported goods,” said Vasileva. She also stressed the need for the creation of a special fund to compensate for possible losses suffered by the agricultural sector as a result of the entry into force of free trade agreements.
Deputy Minister Vasileva also expressed Bulgaria’s position in support of Austria’s document regarding the strong economic pressure to which farmers in the EU are subjected and which threatens their economic viability. The document calls for a number of actions, including the temporary suspension of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) for fertilizers, increased transparency and monitoring of the fertilizer market, the temporary suspension of most-favoured-nation tariffs and specific anti-dumping duties on fertilizers in the interest of the Union.
At the meeting, the ministers discussed the role of fisheries, agriculture and forestry in the context of the EU Bioeconomy Strategy. Deputy Minister Vasileva noted that Bulgaria has a positive assessment of the Strategy, which contains important elements in support of primary producers. “However, it is necessary to improve access to financing, to facilitate the regulatory framework and to ensure that producers receive a fair share of the created added value,” said Vasileva and added that to provide real and rapid support, it is necessary to take into account national specificities, the specific needs of individual farmers and sustainable business models. According to Vasileva, an appropriate mechanism should be found to ensure that the incentives provided do not lead to additional administrative burdens for the Member States.
During the meeting, the ministers also discussed the regulation presented by the European Commission amending the Organic Production Regulation. Vasileva said that Bulgaria supports the proposed changes, which aim to reduce the administrative burden, increase competitiveness, and update the rules to ensure protection and predictability for the organic sector. “The clear timetable for the adoption of the regulation by the end of 2026 will provide predictability for farmers, processors and certification bodies, which will also facilitate their investment decisions,” added the Deputy Minister. (27 January)
