For what state aid can be applied for in March

Wine

“Information in the Member States” under the National Support Programme for the Wine Sector 2019-2023

The submission of applications under this measure will be extended until 12 March 2021 inclusive, at the request of the industry and due to the epidemiological situation in the country.

The measure “Information in the Member States” is being implemented for the first time after its introduction into the national programme and its objective is to inform consumers about the responsible consumption of wine and the risk associated with harmful alcohol consumption, as well as about the European Union scheme for Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) and Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) in relation to the specific quality, reputation or other characteristics of the wine, resulting from its specific geographical environment or its origin.

The budget envisaged for 2021 is slightly over 3 million BGN.

New measure for the wine-growing and wine-producing sector

Measure “Crisis Storage of Wine”

From 1 March to 12 March 2021 applications will be accepted under the measure “Crisis Storage of Wine”. It is a temporary emergency measure aimed at overcoming market disturbances in the wine-growing and wine-producing sector of the European Union caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A budget of 5 million BGN has been allocated for this application round.

Under the measure “Crisis Storage of Wine” support is granted for wines produced in the country, temporarily withdrawn from the market, with the aim of gradually restoring its economic viability. The storage of wine will be carried out in warehouses or own storage facilities at wine production establishments. Wineries registered in the Winegrowers’ Register as wine producers in accordance with the Wine and Spirits Act may apply for financial assistance. Other eligible applicants are also producer organisations, associations of producer organisations, producer groups and interbranch organisations in the wine grape sector.

The defined support period for stored quantities of wine under the measure is 16 October 2020 – 20 September 2021. The amount of financial aid is 0.07 BGN per litre of wine stored for a period of 1 month, or the equivalent/recalculated daily value. The maximum rate of co-financing from the European Agricultural Guarantee Fund under the measure is 100% of the value of eligible expenditure.

Documents under the measure may be submitted in person or through an authorised representative at the Central Office of the State Fund “Agriculture”, 3 Gusla Str., “Wine, Promotional Programmes and Licences” Department, after booking an appointment at one of the following telephone numbers: 02/81 87 513, 02/8187 517 and 02/8187 534.

Templates of application documents can be found HERE

Vegetable production

“Aid for compensating the costs of farmers related to the implementation of measures under the ‘National Programme of Measures for the Control of Tomato Leafminer – Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera)’.”

From 22 February to 15 October 2021, vegetable producers may apply for pest control in tomatoes.

The regional directorates of the State Fund “Agriculture” open an application round 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 Tomato Leafminer - Tuta absoluta Meyrick (Lepidoptera)’”. Applications are submitted to the regional directorates of the State Fund “Agriculture”. The budget under the aid is 500,000 BGN. The deadline for submission of accounting documents for the purchase of products for pest control is 29 October 2021. The deadline for payment of the funds is 15 December 2021.

The purpose of the scheme is to limit production losses caused by the pest in vegetable crops grown in greenhouses.

The maximum aid intensity is up to 100% of the costs for purchasing plant protection products and means for the prevention and eradication of infestations of tomato leafminer – Tuta absoluta in greenhouses, but not more than 250 BGN/ha including VAT.

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

Potatoes

“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 Family Wireworms (Elateridae)’”

Farmers may apply under the state aid 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 Family Wireworms (Elateridae)’” from 9 March to 14 May 2021. The financial resource under the aid is 1.8 million BGN. By 31 May farmers must submit accounting documents for the activities carried out for the treatment of potato crops. The funds will be paid by 22 June 2021.

Small and medium-sized enterprises – farmers cultivating potatoes on areas of more than 0.1 ha (1 decare) may benefit from the support.

The amount of aid for pest control in potatoes is up to 100% of the costs for purchasing plant protection products, but not more than 850 BGN/ha, including VAT. Under the scheme, only the costs incurred for those plant protection products that are authorised in the Republic of Bulgaria for chemical control of soil pests in potatoes from the family Wireworms (Elateridae) will be compensated. How to apply under this scheme can be seen HERE

Certification under the GLOBALG.A.P. standard

The scheme has been established with the objective of optimising the process of producing quality agricultural products in the “Fruit and Vegetables” sector by reducing the use of chemical raw materials and minimising the harmful impact of agricultural operations on the environment.

Applications under the scheme may be submitted until 20 September 2021 at the regional directorates of the State Fund “Agriculture”. The financial resource under the state aid amounts to 100,000 BGN.

Support is targeted at small and medium-sized enterprises, as well as recognised groups or organisations of fruit and vegetable producers. The aid is provided for a maximum period of five years and is limited to 1,200 BGN including VAT per beneficiary per year and up to 5,000 BGN including VAT per group or organisation per year. Producers will receive the funds on an annual basis.

Support is granted only for “new participation” in the GLOBALG.A.P. standard, and this condition applies to the first application under the support scheme. It is important for applicants under the scheme to know that only the costs for issuing a certificate incurred after the submission of the application for support to the SFA are eligible. How to apply under this scheme can be seen HERE