The protest of tobacco growers, which is held in the town of Gotse Delchev is a political provocation, said Minister of Agriculture and Food Dr. Miroslav Naydenov. His doubts are due to the fact that the protest is led by a deputy of the opposition ethnic Turkish party DPS (Movement for Rights and Freedoms) Aliosman Imamov and the mayors of the villages Garmen and Satovcha. Kornelia Ninova a deputy of the Bulgarian Socialist Party also visited the region yesterday. According to Minister Naydenov the protest is not accidentally organized to coincide with a vote of confidence in the government. He advised tobacco growers not to succumb to political provocations and urged those who make provocations to get acquainted with the opportunities for support in the sector and the Common Agricultural Policy.
Minister Naydenov reminded that he had already suggested additional payments to the sector that amount to BGN 143 M, which would be divided in 2011 and 2012.
We are also looking for financial resources under the Rural Programme Development 2007-2013, he added.
With regard to the low purchase price per kilogram of tobacco the Minister said further that MAF has no mechanism tobe able to influenceon the price. The Minister also reminded that the changes in the Law on tobacco and tobacco products, in connection with market liberalization and direct sale requested by the tobacco growers, have already been suggested.