The State Fund “Agriculture” has approved the annual financial resource for 2022 under the important schemes for winter treatments, de minimis aid for greenhouse vegetable producers due to the increase in gas prices, and for pest control for greenhouse producers and potato growers. The specific guidelines for granting the aid are yet to be drawn up. From 17 February to 14 March fruit growers and vegetable growers may apply for aid for winter treatments.

Winter treatments in 2022

The Management Board of the State Fund „Agriculture“ has approved an annual financial resource for 2022 in the amount of BGN 7,400,000 under the state aid scheme “Aid for compensating the costs of farmers related to the implementation of measures under the National Programme for Pest Control in Permanent Crops during the Winter Period”. From 17 February to 14 March 2022 farmers may apply for support under the scheme. Applications under the scheme are accepted at the regional directorates of the State Fund “Agriculture”. Farmers must report the incurred costs and submit documents for the purchased and applied plant protection products by 20 May 2022. By 30 June the State Fund “Agriculture” will pay the financial aid under the scheme.

See the guidelines for the implementation of the state aid.

The aid is provided in two stages. The first is in spring. It covers the period from the end of frosts to the swelling of fruit buds. The second stage is intended to cover part of the costs of fruit growers and vegetable growers incurred for plant protection products used in autumn during the period of mass leaf fall and leaf decay.

Winter treatments 2022 – with an increased rate

The rate for 2022 has been increased from BGN 270/ha including VAT to BGN 324/ha including VAT for the spring stage and, respectively, for the autumn stage from BGN 100/ha including VAT to BGN 120/ha including VAT.

The purpose of the aid is to limit losses resulting from the spread of pests in permanent crops (pome and stone fruit species, strawberries, raspberries and oil-bearing rose).

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 pursuant to Article 91, paragraph 1 of the Plant Protection Act and are entered in the public register of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency for authorised plant protection products pursuant to Article 6, paragraph 1 of the Plant Protection Act.

De minimis scheme for greenhouse vegetable producers

Due to the increase in the price of natural gas, farmers who are greenhouse producers are incurring losses that put at risk their further survival in an unfavourable environment. In order to minimise this negative impact, state aid is provided to cover part of the increase in the price of natural gas for greenhouse vegetable production (tomatoes and cucumbers). The aid will enable farmers to stabilise economically and to be retained as producers on the market in the future.

Greenhouse producers will receive state support under the de minimis scheme in the amount of BGN 3,500,000 for 2022. The funds are granted in compliance with the provisions of Commission Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013, as amended by Commission Regulation (EU) No 2019/316, on the application of Articles 107 and 108 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union to de minimis aid in the agriculture sector.

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)“

BGN 500,000 is the approved resource 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)“. The purpose of the aid for combating tomato leafminer is to limit production losses caused by the pest in vegetable crops grown in greenhouses. In 2022 the rate of support will increase from BGN 2,500/ha including VAT to BGN 3,000/ha including VAT.

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)“.

The financial resource under the scheme amounts to BGN 2,160,000 and will cover up to 100% of the costs for the purchase of plant protection products for preventing the spread and eradicating infestations of soil pests from the family Wireworms (Elateridae). The aid in 2022 will be increased from BGN 850/ha, including VAT, to BGN 1,020/ha, including VAT.

The State Fund „Agriculture“, jointly with the Ministry of Agriculture, is yet to draw up guidelines for granting the aid.