Svetlana Boyanova, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food: If I do nothing, I will probably injure nobody's interests

m.dimitrova@klassa.bg

- Mrs. Boyanova, a few months ago you were accused of conflict of interests and your resignation was demanded.  A few days ago, new accusations of suspected infringements have been made against you. The inspection proved that there were no violations. Do you know the reason for these attacks? Do you stand in somebody's way?
- I do not think I stand in anybody's way. I accept all these attacks as something normal. There will always be a certain amount of doubt, of course. This usually happens when efficient work is being done. If I just do nothing, perhaps I will injure nobody's interests. On the contrary, I do work which is evident by the high results. The best thing is that I can show you exactly what I have achieved for a single year. Since I assumed this post, we have addressed three notifications to the European Commission, all of them aiming at a higher absorption rate of EU funds.

- The last seventh notification relates to the transfer of financial resources between the different measures under the Rural Development Programme (RDP). When do you expect Bulgaria to be granted permission for this?
- On April 28, we sent a proposal to the European Commission, in which Bulgaria officially requested permission to transfer funds from the measures that have been less utilised, as well as from others not having been launched at all, to measures enjoying greater interest, but having insufficient budgets. Since it comes down to a large transfer of nearly €305 mln, a 6-month procedure will be applied. However, for the most part the transfer is supported by the interim programme evaluation, which was carried out last year. In fact, the EC is aware of our proposals and the financial rationale has already been informally discussed. I suppose that this 6-month period will be shortened. This means that in October the transfer of funds may become effective.

- Could you explain in detail which measures and what resources will be reallocated?
- Nearly €142 mln will be redirected under Measure 121 "Modernisation of Agricultural Holdings''. This Measure is usually associated with the purchase of agricultural machinery, but now the transferred funds will not be allocated exclusively for the purchase of agricultural equipment, but also for investments which hitherto have not been sufficiently supported. This applies mainly to the fruit and vegetable sector. We will also give priority to young farmers willing to upgrade their farms. Approximately €123 mln will be transferred under Measure 321 "Basic Services for the Economy and the Population in Rural Areas''. Municipalities have expressed great interest in the reconstruction and rehabilitation of roads, water supplies, drainage systems, etc. Regarding Measure 112 "Setting up of Young Farmers", we will transfer overall €40 mln.

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