Transcript ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IN BULGARIA 1 ST MEETING Rousse

ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IN BULGARIA
1ST MEETING
Rousse 18-21 May 2008
PhD student Polina Lyubenova Atanasova
“A. Kunchev,” University of Rousse
INTRODUCTION
Organic agriculture (OA) was introduced to Bulgaria in 1990, when agricultural
land was put into small plots and distributed among the population after the fall
of the communism. The EU as well as the government of Bulgaria encourage
the transition to organic farming and subsidise organic farmers and food
producers.
The current policy and strategy of the government and non-government
institutions in Bulgaria determine the corresponding laws and normative base,
infrastructure for OA development.
All these special issues have been considered in order to make a national plan
of the developing OA in Bulgaria during the period from 2006–2013.
INTRODUCTION
There are being analyzed some preconditions for successful development of
organic production in the country the more important of which are:
An open chance for stable development in the rural areas in Bulgaria,
preventing the process of land abandonment, during the last 7–8 years have
not been located new pollutions, the problem concerning soil erosion, applying
programs and politics of the EU, the structural funds after our country joined the
EU are give the OA production a chance to develop, the biologic agriculture
leads to stabilizing the incomes of the agricultural farmers by incoming new,
advanced markets of high-quality and healthful food products, which means
less unemployment.
ORGANIC FARMING
NATIONAL LEGISLATION
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry is the competent authority responsible
for the implementation of organic production legislation.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has adopted two ordinances on organic
production. They are based on the Plant Protection Act and Animal Breeding
Act.
Ordinance No 22 of 04.07.2001 (SG 68 of 03.08.2001) on organic production
of plants, plant products and foodstuffs of plant origin and indications referring
thereto on them, based on the Plant Protection Act and
Ordinance No 35 of 30.08.2001 (SG 80 of 18.09.2001)on organic production
of livestock, livestock products and foodstuffs of animal origin and indications
referring thereto on them, based on the Animal Breeding Act.
NATIONAL ORGANIC FARMING LOGO
Both regulations require independent bodies approved by the Minister of
Agriculture to conduct an initial certification process and regular inspections to
guarantee that all principles laid out in applicable ordinances are being followed
at farms and processing facilities.
If a producer has been properly certified, his/her products may carry the national organic
label shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1.
STATISTICAL INFORMATION
Most organic farms in Bulgaria are very small and run less than one hectare.
According to the data disposed in department „Agro-ecology“ at Ministry of
Agriculture and Food during 2003 the area covering with organic production are
amounted to 8 364 ha. The information of controls agency indicate, that to an
end 2004 the total area – in the time of transition and after the period of
transition, totals up to 12 284, 14 ha, which makes up 0, 21% from the total
agricultural land.
The certificates areas are 11 771, 47 ha (0, 20%), the areas in transition period
are 512, 67 ha (0,008%).
According statistical information the organic production in Bulgaria for 2006
year cover only just 0, 23 % of the total agricultural area.
For April 2008 year number of certificated organic farms, manufacturing and
traders are 432. The total organic agricultural land is 166 741 ha.
ORGANIC MARKET IN BULGARIA
Organic food purchases constitute less than 0.5 percent of total food purchases
in Bulgaria.
Currently, 90 per cent of all Bulgarian organic food is exported to wealthier
members of the EU. The country’s crops include:
 fruits (apples, peaches, cherries, strawberries, raspberries, plums, and
grapes for wine-making).
nuts (walnuts and almonds).
herbs and spices (dill, peppermint, lavender and many others) as well as
essential oils, tobacco, and vegetables.
Cows, sheep and goats are kept for the production of milk, yoghurt and
cheese.
Lamb and calf meat is available as well as organic jam and honey.
In addition, large areas of wild land have been certified as organic to collect wild
fruits, herbs and mushrooms. It is assumed that currently about 60 per cent of
raw materials come from wild collection.
According national plan of the developing OA in Bulgaria during the period from
2006–2013 organic foods on a home market must be 3 % of total agricultural
production.
NEGATIVE CHANGES DURING THE TRANSITION PERIOD
But, in spite of good policy will for development of organic farming in Bulgaria
the organic farmers has some problems during the transition period.
the lack of solid financial support for the farmers,
narrow market for the organic production,
small number of plants and animals kinds, leading to a restricted assortment
of organic foods.
 Additional barriers for the farmers are the impossibility of using the existing
material and human resources, violation of the closed cycle of production, low
quality of the teaching, training, and consultation activities, and so on.