Bulgaria has already received official approval from the EC to update the subsidy for crop rotation under measure 214 of the RDP 2007 - 2013.

Despite the controversial topic of crop rotation and the amount of the subsidy for it, the European Commission's Directorate-General for Agriculture approved the 15th notification of the 2007-2013 Rural Development Program under the axis "Introduction of crop rotation for soil and water protection" of Measure 214 "Agri-environmental payments", according to the proposal sent by the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. In a letter sent to the Ministry, the European Commission states that it accepts the request for amendment of Measure 214 of the Program.

The new requirements for applicants, in addition to those listed in Art. 47 of Regulation No. 11 of April 6, 2009 on the conditions and procedure for the implementation of Measure 214 "Agri-environmental payments" of the Rural Development Program for the period 2007 - 2013, are:

1. Ensuring the taking of soil samples for nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium content for every 5 hectares in the block of the agricultural holding, and if this block is smaller than 5 hectares, in the fourth year of the axis implementation;

2. Ensuring the taking of soil samples and analysis for sodium content for every 5 hectares in the block of the agricultural holding, and if the block is smaller than 5 hectares, for each block, in the third year of the axis implementation. Based on the results of the analysis of the taken soil samples, a plan for balanced fertilization (nutrient management plan) with nitrogen is developed;

3. Maintaining vegetative cover during the winter on the entire agricultural area described in the crop rotation plan;

The introduction of the new management requirements also necessitates the development of a new methodology for calculating the additional costs and foregone benefits, which determines a change in the level of the annual compensatory payment under the axis. The developed methodology takes into account the possibility that areas with winter cover can be used to fulfill ecologically oriented areas with catch crops under the First Pillar of the CAP 2014-2020 and in this regard, a differentiation of payments is provided:

• Total compensatory payment under the axis "Crop rotation for soil and water protection" for applicants who fulfill the winter cover requirement with catch crops under the First Pillar – 83.83 euros/ha

• Total compensatory payment under the axis "Crop rotation for soil and water protection" for applicants who do not fulfill the winter cover requirement with catch crops under the First Pillar – 90.88 euros/ha

The updated management requirements and the level of compensatory payment will be applied for the 2015-2016 farming year.

Based on Regulation 1974/2006, applicants who do not accept the adapted conditions under the axis may terminate their participation without having to repay the agri-environmental payments received to date.

Voluntary withdrawal from crop rotation under Measure 214 of the RDP 2007-2013

With an amendment to the Regulation for the implementation of Measure 214 "Agri-environmental payments" of the Rural Development Program for the period 2007 - 2013, farmers have the opportunity to withdraw from the undertaken agri-environmental commitment. The voluntary withdrawal is carried out within 20 working days of the publication of the amendments. This is done through an application, to which a copy of the beneficiary's identity card (ID), certified "True to the original", is attached. If the beneficiary is a legal entity, a copy of the identity card of the person or persons authorized to represent (manage) the legal entity is attached to the application. Applications for voluntary withdrawal can be obtained at the offices of the municipal agricultural services in the region. The submission of withdrawal applications takes place at the building of the Regional Directorate "Agriculture" - Shumen, 17 Slavyanski Blvd., 1st floor.