2. Main agricultural pollution
sources in Bulgaria
 storage of manure
 storage of fertilizers and plant protection
materials
 use of fertilizers and plant protection
materials
 Irrigation
 soil cultivation

3. Current situation for manure
management
 After the restructuring of the Bulgarian agriculture the
farm structure was changed and a lot of family farms
appeared. Although there was a decrease in the
livestock numbers the new farmers do not possess
the necessary skill and funds to manage manure
properly. The thickness of the soil surface where the
hard wastes are stored is not always 0.5 m.
 Therefore attention is given on the support of the:
 creation of manure pits and platforms (SAPARD
programme and FTSF), and facilities for storing the hard
and liquid wastes.
 training of farmers

4. Current use of fertilizers, manure and
plant protection materials
 In the most cases the fertilizers and the
plant protection materials are stored in
closed premises on a cement base

5. Current use of fertilizers, manure
and plant protection materials (1)
 the usage of fertilizers and manure is not always done in
the prescribed period of the good farming practice
 due to the lack of funds no over dosage of fertilizers
usage is observed. Some cases are noted mainly in the
vegetables growing. However this might change in the
future
 the conventional practice is to use mainly nitrogen
fertilizers
 the liquid organic wastes are not treated and used
 no over dosage of plant protection materials use is
observed. However the common practice is to use plant
protection materials that have expired term of usage.

6. Current use of fertilizers, manure and
plant protection materials (2)
 Therefore attention is given to the:
 creation of codes of good farming practices
and support to the farmers for introducing
them
 support to the organic farming and
environmentally friendly practices and
activities
 stopping the subsidies for purchase of
fertilizers
 recommendations for the balanced fertilization
and proper use of plant protection materials

7. Present situation for irrigation and
soil cultivation
 Irrigation
 the percentage of irrigated area is very low (except for
vegetable growing and a part of the orchards)
 Attention should be given to the use of drop irrigation
systems
 Soil cultivation
 in most of the cases good soil cultivation practices are not
followed
 Attention should be given to crop rotation, fore crops,
additional soil cultivation etc.

8. Development of CoGFP
 It is based on 3 key elements:
 Environmental Legislation – obligatory for all of the
farmers in Bulgaria
 Verifiable Standards of Good Farming Practice –
obligatory for all farmers participating in the agri-environmental
schemes
 Additional recommendations for the Protection of
Water – recommended for all farmers participating in
the schemes, but not obligatory.

9. Good Farming Practice
 Three areas have been identified from the
existing environmental legislation relating
to agriculture:
 Water Pollution
 Land Use and Soil Fertility
 Designated Sites and Natural Objects

10. Water pollution (1)
 Farmers are prohibited from storing or disposing
of pesticides within 20 metres of a river bank,
stream, lake, water reservoir or seashore
 Farmers are prohibited from constructing a new
cattle shed or storing manure within 20 metres of
a river bank, stream, lake, water reservoir or
seashore

11. Water pollution (2)
 Farmers are prohibited from disposing of any
surplus manure, fertilisers, pesticides or other
farm wastes (e.g. tractor oil) directly into any
drainage ditch, river or stream channel, lake,
water reservoir or abandoned well.
 Farmers are prohibited from applying any
fertiliser or organic manure in the sanitary
protection zone around water sources used for
communal drinking water.

12. Land use and soil quality
 Farmers must only use chemical fertilizers and
pesticides that are approved by competent state
bodies
 Farmers must not use water for irrigation that is
polluted with excessive levels of harmful
substances and wastes
 Farmers are prohibited from using agricultural
land for non-agricultural purposes without the
permission of MAF

13. Land use and soil quality
 Farmers must apply the animal manure produced
on the farm to their agricultural land in order to
maintain and restore soil fertility. The in excess
manure should be stored without any danger for
soil and water pollution
 Farmers must report any obvious pollution
problem affecting the quality and safety of soil
and water to the appropriate authority (regional
MAF or MoEW office)
 Where pesticides are used, farmers must follow
all recommendations and regulations for their
application and disposal .

14. Introduction of protection legislation
 The government, especially the Minister of
Environment and Waters, the Minister of Public
Health, the Minister of agriculture and forestry
are responsible for the implementation of the soil
and water protection related legislation
 Ministries have adopted ordinance of protection
of waters
 ORDINANCE No 2 concerning the protection of waters
from nitrate pollution originating from agricultural
sources

15. The Ministry of Agriculture and
Forestry (1)
 Prepares and validates:
 Codes for good agricultural practice
 Programs for training and information of
farmers
 Prepares and together with the Minister of
Environment and Waters validates:
 Programs for limitation and elimination of
pollution and organizes control of their
implementation

16. The Ministry of Agriculture and
Forestry (2)
 Prepares and provides to the Minister of
Environment and Waters information
concerning:
 good agricultural practice
 nitrate contents in the waters intended for
irrigation
 conditions for the determination of sensible
areas

17. The Ministry of Agriculture and
Forestry (3)
 Prepares and provides to the Minister of
Environment and Waters and the Minister of Public
health information concerning the agricultural
practice on the territory of sanitary security areas
around the water sources, facilities for water
consumption supply and mineral water sources
used for healing, prophylactic, drinking and hygienic
purposes, as well as concerning the implementation
of programs limitation and elimination of pollution
 Entrusts the development of water monitoring
programs, included in the programs for pollution
limitation and elimination

18. MEASURE 1.3 DEVELOPMENT OF
ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY AGRICULTURAL
PRACTICES AND ACTIVITIES (NARDP)
 It was adopted by the European Commission
on 9 April 2003

19. ALL THE FARMERS PARTICIPATING IN THE SCHEME MUST ADOP THE BASIC
APACKAGE PLUS ONE OF THE SUPPLEMENTARY PACKAGES
MAINTENANCE OF
SEMINATURAL
HABITATS
high mountainous/
pastures
 wetlands
others
SUPPORT TO
ANTIEROSION
PRACTICES
ORGANIC
FARMING
ENDANGERED
LOCAL BREEDS
DEMONSTRATION AND
DISSEMINATION
OF RESULTS
 COMPLIANCE WITH CODES OF GOOD FARMING PRACTICE
 BASIC AGRI-ENVIRONMENTAL TRAINING
 WHOLE FARM AGRI ENVIRONMENTAL PLAN
 KEEPING OF FARM RECORDS AND FARM ACCOUNTS

20. TWINNING PROJECT
 “Support to pre-accession strategy of Ministry
of Agriculture and Forestry and Ministry of
Environment and Water in the Field of Agri-environment”

21. Project Scope (1)
 Finalization of the harmonization of the Bulgarian
legislation with the EU legislation and EU practice,
according to the requirements of the Directive
91/676/EEC (Nitrate Directive) in the field of Good
Agricultural Practice and the Code for Good
Agricultural Practice implemented.
 Harmonization of the Bulgarian legislation with the
EU legislation and EU practice according to the
requirements of the Regulation 1257/99 and
445/2002 (agri-environment and rural development
legislation)

22. Project Scope (2)
 Strengthened agri-economic capacity to
establish area related payment calculation
methods regarding the agri-environmental
schemes.
 A monitoring and control system for Agri-environmental
measures, the Code for Good
Agricultural Practice and the Rural
Development Measures according to the EU
requirements

23. Introduction of organic farming
legislation
 The government, especially the Ministry of
agriculture and forestry is responsible for the
implementation of organic farming legislation

24. Ordinances Adopted on Organic
Production
 ORDINANCE No 22 on organic production of
plants, plant products and foodstuffs of plant
origin and indications referring thereto on
them.
 ORDINANCE No 35 on organic production of
livestock, livestock products and foodstuffs of
animal origin and indications referring thereto
on them.

25. SGS – Bulgaria
 The first national certifying body,
approved on 15 July 2003 by the
Commission of organic agriculture
 The address of the company is:
1504 Sofia
25 A “Tzar Osvoboditel” Blvd., P.O.Box 143
Manager: Levcho Borisov
phone/fax: (02) 910 15; (02) 981 81 43

26. Thank you for your attention!
Snezhka Delcheva
Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry
Agri-Environment Department
Phone: ++ 359 2 98511 455/359 2 98511 408
Fax: ++ 359 2 980 38 54
E-mail: s.deltcheva@mzgar.government.bg