Bulgarian farmers escalate their protest by blocking main motorways and border crossings

(6 Feb 2024) RESTRICTION SUMMARY: ASSOCIATED PRESS Pernik, Pernik Province - 6 February 2024 1. Farmers with banner reading (Bulgarian) “United Agricultural Producers” 2. SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian) Kristian Stoyanov, farmer from Pernik region: “They (the government) say that we want money. No, we don’t want money. We want clear rules, rules that are not against us. Now the rulers are working against us, not only against medium-sized businesses but also against the smallest farms, like us.” ASSOCIATED PRESS Breznik, Pernik Province - 6 February 2024 3. Various of tractors driving through town, police vehicle ahead 4. Various of tractors blocking a road near Breznik 5. SOUNDBITE (Bulgarian) Ventsislav Mitkov, Chairman of the “United Agricultural Producers”: “The last two to three years have been a kind of hell for the Bulgarian farmer, we are surviving on the edge. The small and medium-sized agricultural producers in Bulgaria will be bankrupt for up to six months if there is no change: immediate payment of the delayed subsidies - and if we do not receive support because of the war in Ukraine.” 6. Various of farmers and tractors blocking road STORYLINE: Protesting farmers in Bulgaria on Tuesday blocked motorways and border crossings, paralyzing traffic and adding to the economic woes of the poorest EU member country. The move came after farmers refused to accept a proposed government support offer, arguing it doesn’t go far enough to compensate them for losses due to the war in Ukraine, higher production costs, climate conditions, and requirements under the EU’s Green Deal. Farmers demanded the government protect their interests when renegotiating the EU regulation on liberalized trade with Ukraine. They also insisted that the government should push for equalizing subsidies and support for grain producers across the EU. Protesters announced that they would block motorways and road junctions nationwide initially for two hours daily and expand the length of the blockade every day until their demands are met. Farmers rejected the offer made by Prime Minister Nikolai Denkov that only included financial support for grain producers who can prove a loss for 2023. “We don’t want money. We want clear rules, rules that are not against us,” said Kristian Stoyanov, a farmer from Pernik region. Angry farmers, demanding fairer prices and less bureaucracy, continue to protest across several EU countries, including France, Spain, the Netherlands, and Germany. AP video shot by Valentina Petrova =========================================================== Clients are reminded to adhere to all listed restrictions and to check the terms of their licence agreements. For further assistance, please contact the AP Archive on: Tel 44(0)2074827482 Email: info@. Find out more about AP Archive: Twitter: Facebook: ​​ Instagram: You can license this story through AP Archive: