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“The second amendment to the Strategic Plan for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas 2023-2027 will create new opportunities for farmers” said the Minister of Agriculture and Food, Dr. Georgi Tahov, in a discussion with industry members, held at the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. He explained that the he changes address the challenges farmers face in the first year of implementing the new Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and the sector's proposals. The changes will allow for greater flexibility in meeting certain environmental conditions.

"The proposed amendments result from a thorough analysis and review of policies, and collaborative work with institutions and good communication with the industry," Tahov said. He added that the first step has been taken to make basic land maintenance easier for small farmers through a simpler application, thanks to talks between the European Commission (EC), the administration, and farmers.The amendment to the Strategic Plan for interventions in organic farming, environment, climate, and animal welfare aims to ease the conditions for fulfilling and adhering to long-term commitments. The support levels for endangered local animal breeds, funded through the relevant intervention in the Second Pillar, will be reviewed. An exception is planned in the operation related to payments for maintaining organic crop production. This exception will allow for the provision of evidence of harvested products from each registered farm and proof of the sale of certified organic products, in cases where extraordinary circumstances have affected the registered farm. The amendment will also change the duration of commitments in some environmental and climate interventions. Additionally, 38 new protected areas will be included in the support scope under the intervention "Payments for agricultural land in Natura 2000."

"The administration and interested parties will continue their work on the analysis of the results of the second year of the implementation of the CAP, which will be applicable from 2026 until the end of the program period," stressed Minister Tahov. According to him, the goal is to simplify interventions and reduce the administrative burden on farmers, while maintaining the necessary level of control, through the digitalization of registers and easing the process of support providing.

"Practical trainings and informational meetings are planned to be held in September in order to increase the publicity and awareness of farmers, explain the new opportunities and the rules for their application. This will lead to a reduction in the percentage of non-conformities in meeting the requirements," the Minister of Agriculture pointed out.

At the meeting, it became clear that the proposed amendments to the Strategic Plan will be consulted with the Offices of the EC and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications and presented at the next meeting of the Monitoring Committee. The changes will be reflected in the applicable national legislation after approval by the EC services.

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