State aid for fruit growers and vegetable producers in October

In October, farmers may apply for the following aids:

State aid for pest control in permanent crops during the winter period

By 30 October, the State Fund “Agriculture” accepts applications under the scheme “Aid for compensating the costs of agricultural producers related to the implementation of measures under the National Programme for Pest Control in Permanent Crops during the Winter Period”.

Applications will be accepted for the purchase of plant protection products and products for accelerating the processes of leaf decay in fruit species, which are applied in autumn - during the period of mass leaf fall. The deadline for reporting the activities is 13 November, and the funds will be paid by 11 December. The financial support amounts to up to 100 leva per hectare including VAT.

The funds are paid only for plant protection products purchased from persons who are traders within the meaning of the Commercial Act and hold a certificate for trading in plant protection products on the grounds of Art. 91, para. 1 of the Plant Protection Act and are entered in the public register of the BFSA for plant protection products authorised for use, on the grounds of Art. 6, para. 1 of the Plant Protection Act. The products for accelerating the processes of leaf decay may also be purchased from persons who are traders within the meaning of the Commercial Act.

The scheme aims to minimise the losses of agricultural producers from the spread of pests in permanent crops.

The guidelines under the scheme are published on the website of the SFA.

Second application period under de minimis for fruit, vegetables, oil-bearing rose and wine vineyards

From 26 October to 10 November 2020, a second application period is opened under the de minimis scheme for agricultural producers growing fruit and vegetables, wine vineyards and oil-bearing rose. The envisaged additional budget is 3,790,000 leva. The funds will be paid by 21 December.

Support will be provided to producers who have submitted a valid application for direct payments under the coupled support schemes for fruit and vegetables for Campaign 2020. Farmers with 100% damage from adverse climatic events in 2020 on areas for which, for these reasons, no application for coupled support for fruit and vegetables for Campaign 2020 has been submitted and which were not eligible under the first application period may also apply for the aid.

The support rates are:

• Potatoes, onions and garlic - 150 leva/ha;

• Potatoes (for registered areas for phytosanitary control in the BFSA by 31 July 2020) - 400 leva/ha;

• Carrots, cabbage, watermelons and melons - 150 leva/ha;

• Tomatoes, cucumbers, gherkins and eggplant - 200 leva/ha;

• Pepper – 300 leva/ha;

• Vegetables - greenhouse production (tomatoes, pepper and cucumbers) - 2,000 leva/ha;

• Apples, pears, peaches/nectarines, apricots, sour cherries, cherries, strawberries and raspberries - 250 leva/ha;

• Plums and dessert grapes - 150 leva/ha;

• Wine vineyards - 250 leva/ha;

• Oil-bearing rose - 200 leva/ha;

It is recalled that the State Fund “Agriculture” has already paid over 15 million leva in support of farmers growing fruit and vegetables, wine vineyards and oil-bearing rose. The financial support aims to help producers cover losses due to drought and to provide relief in view of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The guidelines for the state aid are published on the website of the State Fund “Agriculture”.

Source

State Fund “Agriculture” - PA