BULGARIA TO PAY OUT 1.3B LEVA IN SUBSIDIES TO FARMERS IN 2012
Bulgaria will earmark 1.3 billion leva for subsidies from the EU and national budget to support the country's agriculture sector in 2012, up from 1.1 billion leva allocated this year.
The move was approved at a meeting held between Finance Minister Simeon Dyankov, Agriculture Minister Miroslav Naidenov and representatives of agricultural organisations.
The meeting was the first stage of negotiations about the 2012 financial framework, which are expected to be completed by the end of August.
Following the approved strategy, local farmers will get 838.1 million leva from the EU budget, as well as 500.2 million leva from the state Budget, including 384.1 million leva for national co-payments to EU subsidies and 116.1 million leva for state aid schemes.
According to a statement by the Agriculture Ministry, the country will fund agricultural producers engaged in vegetable and fruit growing, pig and poultry farming in 2012.
