Increased per-hectare rate for combating potato pests

The Management Board of the State Fund „Agriculture“ increased by 350 BGN per hectare the maximum amount of support under the scheme “Aid for compensating the costs of farmers related to the implementation of measures under the „National Programme of Measures for the Control of Soil Pests in Potatoes from the Wireworms (Elateridae) Family” for 2019. Thus, the financial support increases from up to 500 BGN/ha to up to 850 BGN/ha.

At its meeting held on 22.02.2019, the Management Board of the State Fund Agriculture approved under the scheme a financial resource of 1,600,000 BGN, with the amount of support up to 500 BGN/ha, and adopted the guidelines for the implementation of the aid in 2019.

The initially proposed amount of support was determined on the basis of the average utilisation over the last three years for plant protection products approved in the Programme, which amounts to approximately no more than 500 BGN/ha.

The notified scheme provides for a rate of up to 850 BGN per hectare. It is based on the value of the costs per hectare for the authorised plant protection products at the time of its drafting.

The increase of the rate is made in order not to disadvantage farmers who consider some more expensive plant protection products to be more effective in combating potato pests. For the implementation of the support scheme, the Management Board of the State Fund Agriculture also adopted an amendment to the guidelines.

 It is important for applicants under the scheme to know that eligible for support are the costs for plant protection products incurred after the submission of the application for support to the State Fund Agriculture, before the pest control activity has started.

Potato producers may apply for the aid from 11 March to 15 May 2019. Applications under the scheme are accepted at the regional directorates of the State Fund Agriculture. By 31 May, farmers must submit supporting documents for the activities carried out for the treatment of potato plantations. The deadline for payment of the subsidies is 21 June 2019.

Source: State Fund „Agriculture“ - PA

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