PRESIDENTS OF BIA AND BAALO TALKED WITH THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE

The president of the Bulgarian Industrial Association (BIA) Dobri Mitrev, the chairman of the Bulgarian Association of Agricultural Land Owners (BAALO) Stayko Staykov and the executive director of BAALO Stefan Assenov held a first, informative meeting with the new leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture. The department was represented by Minister Ivan Ivanov and Deputy Minister Ivan Hristanov.

"Almost all branch organizations from the food and food industry are active members of BIA. I am pleased that we managed to hold this meeting, the main purpose of which is to take the first step towards direct dialogue between business and the state, because both sides need better communication with each other, especially in the current situation," said at the beginning of the conversation the president of BIA.

The representatives of BAALO did not hide their concerns about the increase in the price of fertilizers and fuels for agricultural producers. They also posed other problems facing the industry, including the "disappearance" of land from the Cadastre, the expropriation of land at non-market prices, the processing of the so-called "white spots", as well as other issues related to land relations and protection of agricultural land.

"We have always looked at the problems as both owners and users. Since 2007 we have been actively participating in all major processes related to land relations and taking constructive positions in order to protect one of the most valuable resources of Bulgaria - its land," said during the meeting the president of BAALO Stayko Staykov.

For his part, Minister Ivanov assured that the country monitors the supply of fertilizers for agriculture, and said that the entire expert potential of the Ministry is currently focused on food security in the country. "The meeting with you comes as a continuation of yesterday's with the Association of Modern Trade and will be the first of many upcoming, in which together with representatives of business and industry organizations will work to solve problems in agriculture, because they are complex and multiplied over the years," stressed Minister Ivanov.

BIA stated its readiness to be an active party in the dialogue and to facilitate a broader discussion on the part of its members, and BALOO invited the two ministers to their 15th anniversary in the summer of this year. On the occasion of the anniversary, a round table with international participation will be held, with a focus on agriculture.