"I regard the timing of the inception of this council as very suitable, because it coincides with the start of the public debate on the reforms of the Common Agricultural Policy after 2013. From now on our aim will be not to allow the implementation at European level of a discrimination policy towards our countries, expressed e.g. in the differing levels of direct aid per ha in the different parts of the EU." Ivailo Todorov, General Secretary of BAAP

On 13 and 14 February in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria, the round table "Strategic Partnership for Sustainable Development" was held with the participation of national organizations of agricultural organizations from Bulgaria, Romania and Macedonia. Agricultural producers from Bulgaria and Romania also took part in the event and shared their practical experience and the difficulties they encounter in their everyday work.

The participating organizations presented their activities and provided data regarding the main indicators and trends characterizing the agricultural sector in the respective countries. Special attention was given to several major aspects: financial support measures (direct payments, state aid and other specific support schemes); main features of tax and security systems of the respective countries; state policies in the fields of irrigation, grain production, vegetable and fruit growing; land use and rental rates. Presentations were followed by a heated discussion on the issues of greatest interest for the participating parties.  

Regarding the direct payments per ha, hosting country and guests shared the same view - the disparity in the rates of direct payments across the EU member-states results in an unequal treatment of agricultural producers from different countries and affects negatively the competitiveness of the farmers. If the situation does not change, agricultural producers from the applicant-countries, for which the EU-entry is still ahead, will also suffer losses competing with farmers from the older member-states.  In the light of the forthcoming reforms of CAP after the adoption of the new multiannual financial framework 2014-2020, it is of the utmost importance to work together against these discrimination practices and for the equal treatment of all agricultural producers, irrespective of their country of origin.

Another issue discussed at the meeting was the problem with the poor condition of the irrigation systems in the countries from the region and the necessity of reasonable use of the water resources. Due to the climate changes and dry climate, experienced in recent years, the lack of irrigation systems in many areas lead to a decrease in production levels in the region, which strengthened the dependence on imported raw materials, thus increasing their prices. It turned out, over the last years the agricultural producers in Rumania received additional aid for restoration of the irrigation systems until 2010 but this financial support was recently discontinued.  In Bulgaria, on the other hand, such support was never granted to the agricultural producers, and its lack inflicted severe damage to the agriculture in the country.  The participants at the round table were unanimous that the issue with irrigation should be brought up in Brussels, the most suitable place for finding a solution to this grave problem.

It became clear during the discussions that there are many common issues for the agricultural producers from the region, and that all agricultural stakeholders would only benefit from a strategic partnership on a regular basis.  Thus the participants came up with the idea of setting up a Regional Council for Cooperation of National Organizations of Agricultural Producers, with the aim to represent the interests of agricultural producers and to state the collective position on common issues of agricultural producers of the Council represented countries.  The collective position statements will be presented to European Union institutions and European professional organizations.  A technical secretariat, comprising of one member per country, will be responsible for providing administrative support to the Council and for drafting Council documents. It is envisaged that the Council maintains rotation principle of hosting country, meeting at least twice a year or whenever required. Participation in and collaboration with this Council is open to any national organization of agricultural producers.

The Protocol for the establishment of the Regional council was signed on 14 February 2010 by the Bulgarian Association of Agricultural Producers (BAAP), the National Federation of the Agriculture Romanian Producers (NFPAR) and the Federation of Farmers in the Republic of Macedonia (FFRM). The document was also sent to the organizations of agricultural producers from other countries in the region (namely Greece, Turkey, Moldova and Serbia), which were invited but had no opportunity to participate. If these organizations agree to the membership requirements they will be welcome to join the Council.

The first joint document of the Regional Council for Cooperation, concerning the national organizations' position on the reforms of CAP after 2013,  is expected to be prepared soon.

PROTOCOL

for Setting up a Regional Council for Cooperation of National Organizations of Agricultural Producers ("the Council")

1.    At the initiative of the Bulgarian Association of Agricultural Producers (BAAP), the National Federation of the Agriculture Romanian Producers (NFPAR) and the Federation of Farmers in the Republic of Macedonia (FFRM) this Council is set up with the aim to represent interests of agricultural producers.

2.    Participation in and collaboration with this Council is open to any national organization of agricultural producers.

3.    The Council serves to state the collective position on common issues of agricultural producers of the Council represented countries. The collective position statements will be presented to European Union institutions and European professional organizations. The Council maintains rotation principle of hosting country, meeting at least twice a year or whenever required.

4.    Any country will not intervene in drawing up a collective Council position on issues that fall outside the specific interests of the said country, thus following the mutuality principle.

5.    The Council is supported by a technical secretariat comprising of one member per country. The secretariat is responsible for:

- providing administrative support to the Council;

- drafting Council documents, and upon approval by the Council, submitting them to the European bodies under item 3.

The first draft-document will be prepared within 25-30 days following the date of signature of this Protocol by the Romanian organization.

6.  This Council becomes operational as of the date of signature of this Protocol whereby
the aforementioned organizations of agricultural producers agree to accept its provisions.
Further to that, they commit to use their best endeavors to support Council's operations
and activities.

The Council set-up meeting took place in Veliko Tarnovo, Bulgaria on February 14, 2010г.