Stockbreeders to Block Hwy in Southern Bulgaria

By October 20, Bulgarian stockbreeders were to obtain 70% of the subsidies and by the end of January the remaining amount, but as of the moment, they have received about 40% of the money. Photo BGNES

Bulgarian stockbreeders are staging a protest blockade of Trakiya highway in southern Bulgarian near the Plovdiv village Trud.

The blockade will start at 11 am Wednesday. Protesters will decide on the spot whether to go to the capital Sofia, the public Bulgarian National Television, BNT, reported.

The outrage is provoked by non-payment of the promised amount of subsidies for this year.

By October 20, the stockbreeders were to obtain 70% of the subsidies and by the end of January the remaining amount, but as of the moment, they have received about 40% of the money.

It has emerged after a meeting of representatives of stockbreeders and the Minister of Finance in late October that the transfer of funds for 2013 is impossible because of budget constraints.

Grain producers who insist on BGN 230 M in subsidies are also preparing for protests and threaten to block roads.