The Bulgarian Parliament has rejected the BSP's proposal for amendments to the Food Act to introduce quotas for Bulgarian food in the country's big supermarkets.
The proposal of the socialists was to set minimum quotas for Bulgarian products, namely 51% for fresh fruit and vegetables, 70% for milk and dairy products, 25% for meat and meat products, 50% for chicken and 75% for wine and spirits. These quotas would have been mandatory for commercial sites or chains with an annual turnover of more than 2 million Lev (about 1.02 million Euro).
The bill was rejected after 102 MPs voted in favour, 19 voted against and 90 abstained.
The BSP defended its proposal on the grounds that the new regulation would give Bulgarian producers an equal chance against imports, many of which are produced in countries with significantly higher subsidies; however, the Ministry of Agriculture and Food stated that EU countries cannot adopt or maintain national measures that create obstacles to the free movement of goods from other Member States. The Ministry and branch organizations also believe that the bill may lead to a shortage of goods and higher prices.
Source: dnevnik.bg
