Farmers seek the resignation of agriculture minister

The Association “Organic Products” will stage a protest on 9^th of April demanding the agriculture minister's resignation after the Ministry of Agriculture and Foods had withdrawn the license of two of the largest certification companies in organic farming, Bulgarian National Radio said on 8th of April.

The association sent an open letter to the Prime Minister urging him to intervene in the conflict between the companies and the Ministry of Agriculture.

According to organic produce farmers, the public is witnessing unprecedented repressive actions on the part of the agriculturel ministry towards some of the companies that control organic produce farmers. Two of the largest and oldest certification firms have been deprived of the opportunity to work, with the ministry refusing to grant them a license to operate.

The Head of the Plant Production and Organic Production Directorate in the Ministry of Agriculture Mihail Karabeliev explained to the Bulgarian National Radio that the checks for issuing authorisations go through administrative procedures so that the ministry of agriculture can be assured that there are sufficient resources and that the staff are competent, experienced. The ministry has not received such assurances.

There are 7 days in which the two companies can eliminate the incompleteness and inconsistencies but have not done so. The Court of Auditors found that inspections did not provide sufficient traceability for compliance with the European and national legislation, Karabeyov stressed. In his words, in 2018 and 2019 there is a stronger and more effective control in the issuing of permits.

There are currently 15 entities authorised by the ministry to carry out control of organic production, one of which has discontinued activity.