STATE FUND AGRICULTURE AUDITED UNDER AN ORDER OF THE PRIME MINISTER

At the insistence of Prime Minister, Boyko Borissov, the audit of the State Fund Agriculture was initiated and if violations are detected, personnel changes will follow, became clear yesterday after the management of the National Grain Producers Association (NGPA) signed an agreement to the memorandum concluded last year with GERB's Government.

By April 30, all beneficiaries not owing liabilities to the Bulgarian State should receive their subsidies, provided the document. If this deadline is not observed, the Minister of Agriculture must resign, said the PM. By that date, the farmers will have to suspend their protests.

According to Radoslav Hristov, NGPA Chairman, the entire responsibility does not lie with the State Fund Agriculture because individual officials from the Ministry might also be guilty. He predicted that, henceforth, many complaints will be filed because many beneficiaries will be penalised.

Actually, grain producers sell grain throughout the entire year and, last year, the average price per tonne was below BGN 300, although currently a tonne of wheat stands at BGN 450, said Hristov. He himself sold his wheat in June for BGN 250 per tonne.

The Agriculture Minister explained that if subsidies are transferred without the necessary audits, there will be penalties. He, however, promised to meet the set deadline April 30 and reassured farmers that by mid-year they will be able to use fuel with a lower excise duty.