State aid for winter spraying and for the control of the black grain beetle has been approved.

The Management Board of the State Fund "Agriculture" (SFA MB) approved an indicative budget of up to 7,800,000 euros for 2026 under the state aid scheme "Aid to compensate farmers for costs related to the implementation of measures under the National Program for Pest Control in Permanent Crops during the winter period and control of the flatheaded rootborer (Capnodis tenebrionis)".

The scope of the state aid has been expanded to include the possibility of financing measures to reduce the spread of the flatheaded rootborer pest, following letters and alerts received by the Ministry of Agriculture from industry organizations about a growing problem in several fruit-growing regions of the country, related to the increasing spread of the flatheaded rootborer (Capnodis tenebrionis) and actions taken by the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency to expand the Program by including the new pest, whose control is carried out during the vegetation period.

On 14.04.2026, the state aid was notified via the European Commission's interactive notification system SANI2 and registered under number SA.122967. The notified maximum forecast amount for the application period (2026-2029) is up to 32,530,000 euros.

The objective of the state aid is to control and limit the spread of pests in permanent crops (pome and stone fruit species, strawberries, raspberries, and oil-bearing rose).

The aid is provided in two stages – in spring and autumn.

Farmers cultivating permanent crops are supported for up to 100% of their costs for purchasing plant protection products used to control and limit the spread of pests, in accordance with the National Program.

Up to 194 euros/hectare (380 BGN/ha), including VAT, is provided for plant protection products during the first stage. It covers the period from the passing of the frosts until the swelling of the fruit buds.

Up to 72 euros/hectare (140 BGN/ha), including VAT, are the funds provided for the second stage, covering part of the costs incurred for plant protection products used in autumn during the period of mass leaf fall.

Up to 138.4 euros/hectare (270 BGN/ha), including VAT, for plant protection products and biological agents to control and prevent the spread of the flatheaded rootborer (Capnodis tenebrionis) in the specified eligible crops and in fruit nurseries.

The State Fund "Agriculture", together with the competent directorates at the Ministry of Agriculture, will prepare guidelines for providing the aid, which will be published on the SFA website.

Source: SFA