Bulgarian vegetable producers who haven’t sold their produce because as a result of the E.coli outbreak, will receive 100% compensation. This was announced by Minister of Agriculture and Food Dr. Miroslav Naydenov during a meeting with the branch organizations of vegetable producers in the building of Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Cucumbers, lettuce, tomatoes, zucchini and pepper are among the vegetables to be compensated, informed the Minister. This decision was taken at an extraordinary meeting of the EU Agriculture Ministers in Luxembourg.
Representatives of branch organizations thanked the minister for having defended interests of the Bulgarian vegetable producers as he insisted all who have suffered losses to be compensated, no matter whether they are members of organizations in Bulgaria. "What you have achieved in Luxembourg is a great win for us," said Plamen Sapoundzhiev from the Bulgarian Greenhouse Association.
Minister Naydenov pointed out that the total budget for all 27 countries amounts to EUR 210 million. Initially, the EC has proposed a budget of EUR 150 million, which covers only 30% of the average price of vegetables, but ministers have defended a larger budget. Thus 50% of the average price per kilo for the reference period: 26 May - 30 June 2008-2010 will be covered. If the crisis continues the budget initially set will be updated and increased to levels corresponding to the real loss benefits.
The Minister warned further that the funds are 100% European and their absorption will be verified by OLAF and the European Court of Auditors.