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Bulgaria opposes proposed EU seed regulations after Russian party pushes for them

Ahead of the 9 December Council meeting, Bulgarian farmers staged protests outside Bulgaria's Council of Ministers, arguing that the regulation would force the import of hybrid, genetically modified seeds from major global producers, undermining domestic agricultural production. Initially, the Ministry of Agriculture dismissed the farmers' concerns, reassuring that the regulation would not threaten local varieties.

"The Ministry of Agriculture and Food promotes targeted conservation of local varieties of vegetables and fruit species through the interventions under the Strategic Plan for Agricultural and Rural Development 2023-2027," the ministry told Euractiv.

"The aim is to preserve the wealth of diverse varieties that have proven their sustainability over the years," it added.

However, shortly after the protests, Kostadin Kostadinov, leader of the pro-Russian Revival party, met with Agriculture Minister Georgi Tahov, the ministry confirmed to Euractiv. Following their discussions, Bulgaria announced it would oppose the regulation, stating that Sofia had already expressed its negative position at a Council meeting in June 2024, though this stance became public only after the Revival party's intervention.

Read more at Euractiv

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