Scheme of State Aid for Bulgaria was published today, April 4, 2012 in the Registry of the European Commission. "Aid to compensate farmers for costs associated with implementation of measures under the" National Program of Measures for Control of Tomato Moth - Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera) ".
Tomato leaf miner- Tuta absoluta comes from South America in recent years it has been spread to many countries of the European continent. In Bulgaria, the species was first discovered in 2009 by using pheromone traps in Plovdiv, Pazardzhik, Haskovo Region, as well as in the region of Sofia - Slatina Stock Exchange. In 2010, the pest was found in infested lots of tomatoes from Greece and on pheromone traps in 45 greenhouses with a total area of 1037 dca and 10 outdoor fields with an area of 1353 dca.
Tomato moth is a very aggressive pest that has spread rapidly and during 2011 it was established in 21 districts in the country. National Program of Measures for Control of Tomato Moth has been prepared to limit losses and spread of Tomato moth - Tuta absoluta in the country.
In order to prevent the spread of pest in the country certain actions have been undertaken by the State to support the sector by compensating farmers for the losses the for purchase of products for crop protection to prevent the invasion and destruction of the pest, as a scheme of State aid " Aid to compensate farmers for costs associated with implementation of measures under the" National Program of Measures for Control of Tomato Moth - Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera) " has been developed.
The aim of the scheme is to prevent the spread of the pest - Tuta absoluta in the country, with support provided in the form of offsetting some of the costs of registered farmers. The scheme will be implemented during 2012 and 2013. It should be approved by the Board of State Fund "Agriculture" for implementation throughout the country.