About EU 300 million are funds under the Rural Development Programme (RDP) 2007-2013, which could be reallocated between its different measures in the sector. This became clear during a roundtable discussion for journalists, where preliminary results of the interim evaluation of the RDP 2007-2013 were presented, on the basis of which changes in the program are possible to be made. The round table was opened by Mrs. Demina Bayraktarska, Acting Director of the Rural Development, Directorate within Ministry of Agriculture and Food and Executive Director of State Fund Agriculture Mr. Svetoslav Simeonov. Mrs. Sonia Mikova, Head of the Implementation, Coordination and Monitoring Department also took part in the discussion. Reallocation of funds is recommended by the interim evaluation of foreign valuers of the program and it aims to transfer financial resources to measures of the RDP, which are the most attractive and need funds.
Measures from which funds could be taken are the following: Measure 111 “Training, information and diffusion of knowledge ", Measure 122" Improving the Economic Value of Forests, " Measure 141" 'Supporting of Semi-subsistence Farms Undergoing Restructuring' ", Measure 223" First Afforestation of Non-Agricultural Lands, " Measure 311" Diversification of Non-Agricultural Activities ", Measure 611"Complimentary payments to the national payments “, Measure 341 " Skills Acquisition and Animation with a view to preparing and Implementing a Local Development Strategy " which has not started yet etc. The released funds under the following measures can be redirected to negotiation for investments under Measure 112 " Setting up of Holdings of Young Farmers", Measure 114 "Use of Advisory Services by Farmers and Forest Users," Measure 121 "Modernization of Agricultural Holdings", Measure 226 " Restoring Forestry Potential and Introducing Prevention Actions” and Measure 321" Basic Services for the Rural Population and Economy”.
The largest financial resource due to the low interest may be taken from Measure141 “Supporting Semi-Subsistence Farms Undergoing Restructuring” - about EU100 million. Another EU 60 million can be taken from Measure 341 " Skills Acquisition and Animation with a view to preparing and Implementing a Local Development Strategy”, EU 50 million from Measure 311 " Diversification of Non-Agricultural Activities ", EU 27 million from Measure “Complimentary payments to the national payments, EU 20 million from Measure 223 “First Afforestation of Non-Agricultural Land”, EU 15 million from Measure111 “ Training, information and diffusion of knowledge” and EU 14 million from Measure 122 " Improving the Economic Value of Forests ".
Currently, these amounts are only indicative and their consideration with members of the Monitoring Committee of the Rural Development Programme is to take place. To become final, they must be approved by Brussels, "said Mrs. Demina Bayraktarska.
If the released funds will be approved by the European Commission, the largest financial resources - about EU 200 million could be transferred to negotiation for investments under Measure 121. This is one of the measures under which there is a strongest interest
In 2011 there will be a new acceptance of agricultural projects under the program, announced also Executive Director of State Fund Agriculture Svetoslav Simeonov. Some measures will be opened yet in February 2011. These are Measure 141, Measures-122, 223, 226 and Measure 121 – only in its “animal breeding” part or the so-called guaranteed budgets.