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Bulgaria between two chairs

Bulgaria between two chairs. AGROLINK Association Svetla Nikolova. Agriculture in Bulgaria. Significance: 11.4 % of GDP, employs 25% of the population Diversity Problems: Unemployment in rural areas, Fragmented land ownership

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Bulgaria between two chairs

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  1. Bulgaria between two chairs AGROLINK Association Svetla Nikolova

  2. Agriculture in Bulgaria • Significance: 11.4 % of GDP, employs 25% of the population • Diversity • Problems: Unemployment in rural areas, Fragmented land ownership • Main crops: Wheat, corn, sunflower, tobacco, vegetables, fruits, herbs

  3. GM-maize in BG (According to official data) 1999 – 13 000 ha 2000 – 19 000 ha 2001 – 6 400 ha 2002 – 2 200 ha 2003 – 2 195 ha Under the contract with Monsanto not to put the GM crops on the internal market But GM-crops are used as animal forage GMOs in Bulgaria

  4. Between the chairs • Aggressive marketing campaigns by Monsanto, Pioneer, Novartis • Although the companies got no official certification, in effect it was granted because farmers have already grown genetically modified corn that was used to feed animals • The costumers of the Belgian company “Amilum” refused to buy GM-corn produced in Razgrad

  5. Little public awareness Survey: • Over 90% of Bulgarians don’t know whether GMOs are produced in Bulgaria • 45% don’t know whether they already have consumed GM-food • Over 70% want more information on GMOs

  6. First version of GMO-law influenced by GM-proponents • 2004: first reading of the new GM-law • Law was prepared by the Institute of Genetic Engineering (AgroBioInstitute) • Discussion didn’t include the public

  7. Movement against GMOs • Coalition “Bulgaria – GM free zone” • Draft law has been changed after intervention of environmental NGOs

  8. The new GM-law (I) It prohibits for commercial growing: tobacco, oil yielding rose, grapevines, cotton, wheat, all vegetables and fruits. It prohibits the cultivation of GM-crops inside a radius of 30 km around protected areas.  It prescribes measures for co-existence of GM- and GM-free farming.  It protects organic farms and their neighboring fields against GM-crops.

  9. The new GM-law (II) • It doesn’t deal with the labeling of processed GM-products. It will be include in the amendments to the Food law. • It doesn’t deal with responsibilities in case of harms.  NGOs representatives can participate in the work of the Commission to issue authorizations for GM crops but without right to vote

  10. Awareness raising and information Ensure the implementation of the law Monitor the further legislative process, especially for the labeling of processed food Campaign for the first GM-free region in Bulgaria Continue working for GM-free Balkans What we want to do now

  11. Thanks for your attention!

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