Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov, Minister of Agriculture Georgi Tahov and Commissioner for Agriculture and Food Christophe Hansen inaugurated the reconstructed main irrigation canal Trakiets near Konush village.  

The reconstruction increases the irrigated areas in the region of Haskovo by over 3,900 hectares and is financed by the EU. Asked about the problem of vaccinating ruminants against pox, Minister Tahov and Commissioner Hansen agreed that this was a last resort and could have a negative effect on the export of meat and dairy products. The European Commission applies the regional principle of vaccinating animals only when there is an absolute need, Christophe Hansen added. Asked about the funding for agriculture which the EU is going to allocate to Bulgaria under the Common Agriculture Policy programmes, Commissioner Hansen said money was limited and there needs to be good planning for how this money is spent.

No resignation of any cabinet minister is on the agenda, PM Zhelyazkov said in a comment on the demands, by some farming organizations, for the resignation of Minister Tahov.

Edited by Ivo Ivanov
Translated and posted by Milena Daynova
Photo: BGNES