Cherry producers will receive de minimis aid

The State Fund „Agriculture“ is granting BGN 141,000 in de minimis aid pursuant to Regulation (EU) No 1408/2013 to farmers, cherry producers, for compensating damages caused by adverse climatic events in 2017. As a result of the winter weather conditions in March and April, serious damage was inflicted on fruit trees, and particularly on cherries, in the districts of Kyustendil, Pazardzhik, Sliven and Stara Zagora.

At a meeting of the Management Board of the State Fund Agriculture, the terms and procedures for receiving the aid were also determined. The total amount of de minimis aid granted to a single farmer as well as to a single undertaking may not exceed the BGN equivalent of EUR 15,000 (BGN 29,337.45) for a period of three budget years (2015 – 2017). The amount of the aid is BGN 200 per decare (BGN 2,000 per hectare). It will be granted for an event of frost established by protocol, in cases of 100% or up to 100% damaged areas planted with cherries. No other public funding is allowed for the same costs.

The State aid is granted to natural persons, sole traders and legal entities registered as farmers pursuant to Ordinance No. 3 of 1999, who are listed in the Register of Farmers and have issued protocols for 100% or up to 100% damage to areas with cherries in the districts of Kyustendil, Pazardzhik, Sliven and Stara Zagora.

Applicants may submit documents under the scheme from 9 to 20 October 2017 at the Regional Directorates of the State Fund ”Agriculture”, Department „Implementation of Schemes and Support Measures” (ISSM), according to the permanent address of the natural person or sole trader and the registered office of the legal entity.

By 3 November 2017, the funds will be paid to the farmers.

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