“Nature” Forum: What is needed is not a moratorium, but effective measures for agricultural land –

/ world today news/ In a statement sent to the media, the Nature Forum Association assesses the moratorium on the purchase of agricultural land by citizens of EU countries as an expression of the spreading populism in political life.

According to this non-governmental organization, the act of the National Assembly does not solve, but rather hides the serious problems of Bulgarian agriculture and favors a handful of tenants and monopolists.

Bulgaria needs a comprehensive strategy for the development of agriculture in accordance with European standards. We need programs that meet our national needs, not palliative measures that serve corporate interests. Bulgarian agriculture must guarantee the livelihood and income of our population and more Bulgarian food on our table, and not subsidize the export of added value.

In order to achieve a working unity between the principles laid down in the accession treaty of Bulgaria to the EU and in the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU, and our national interests, according to the non-profit association, it is necessary:

• transactions with agricultural land should not replace the main principle, namely: “Agricultural land should be used for agricultural needs”, while at the same time maximally limiting the possibilities of changing its purpose;

• that foreign individuals and legal entities and legal entities with foreign capital cannot buy agricultural land in areas 50 km from our state border with a country that is not a member of the EU;

• adoption of the Strategy for the development of agriculture and the use and protection of agricultural lands. In connection with this, a fundamental change is needed in the legislation governing matters related to land use and disposal of agricultural lands in Bulgaria;

• creation of a specialized body for compliance with the legal framework and the implementation of an effective state policy for the protection and use of agricultural lands, providing for strict sanctions, including and for government agencies that violate the regulations.

In conclusion, Forum “Nature” notes that we can get out of the unenviable state of Bulgarian agriculture not by constantly inciting fears, not by voting on meaningless decisions, but by adopting working laws and regulations, with adequate and real actions of executive power, aimed at the real problems of people and society.