Стартира второто кандидатстване за зимните пръскания по трайните насаждения

From 10 October to 28 October, applications are open for the second stage of the scheme “Aid for compensating the costs of farmers related to the implementation of measures under the National Programme for Pest Control in Perennial Crops during the Winter Period”, implemented in 2022.

The scheme aims to minimise the losses of farmers resulting from the spread of pests in perennial crops (pome and stone fruit species, strawberries, raspberries and oil-bearing rose).

Documents are 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 21 November, and the funds will be paid by 12 December.

The aid is provided in two stages. The first was in the spring and covered the period from the end of frosts until the swelling of fruit buds. For the first stage, the State Fund “Agriculture” (SFA) paid out BGN 5.2 million (BGN 5,241,730) for winter spraying to a total of 3,399 farmers.

The funds provided for the second stage will cover part of the costs of fruit growers and vegetable growers incurred for plant protection products in the autumn.

The budget under the scheme for 2022 is BGN 7.4 million. It should be recalled that the rate for 2022 was 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 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. Another requirement is that they be included in the public register of the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency (BFSA) for plant protection products authorised for use.

The guidelines for the implementation of the state aid are published on the SFA website.