The start of the public debate on the Common Agricultural Policy of the European Union for the period 2014 – 2020 was given at a news conference in the National Assembly by the Bulgarian member of the European Parliament Maria Nedelcheva. She said that over the next six months, the position of Bulgaria on the CAP’s budget for 2014 – 2020 will be debated in different cities. The aim of the discussions is to include the representatives of the agricultural sector in the country. The initiative is supported by the government of the ruling party GERB and the Association of Agricultural Producers in Bulgaria. The first meeting will be held on February 15 in Blagoevgrad and the last - on July 15 in Yambol. Maria Nedelcheva said the final position of our country is expected to be ready by this deadline. The farmers’ opinions will be collected through polls, the results of which must show how to reform the sector. “The agriculture is a strategic sector in our economy and we must defend our country’s position”, she added.

At the press conference the National Assembly President Tsetska Tsacheva noted that the preparation of our country's position with regards to the EU Common Agricultural Policy  requires also legislative initiatives that need the support and commitment of all parliamentary groups.

The Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Tzvetan Dimitrov said Bulgaria will insist on the fair allocation of the EU funds for farmers for the next program period.In his words, the EC should allow each country to distribute the subsidies according to their needs.