1. ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IN BULGARIA 1 ST MEETING Rousse 18-21 May 2008 PhD studentPolina Lyubenova Atanasova “A. Kunchev,” University of Rousse ORGANIC AGRICULTURE IN BULGARIA 1 ST MEETING Rousse 18-21 May 2008 PhD student Polina Lyubenova Atanasova “A. Kunchev,” University of Rousse

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.