The MRF MEPs voted for crisis financial support for farmers

MRF MEPs voted for crisis financial support for farmers and protection of the rights of seasonal workers

In favor of crisis support with a significant increase in the financing of agricultural producers, the MEPs of the DPS from the "Renew Europe" group - Atidje Aliyeva-Veli, Iskra Mihailova and Ilhan Kyuchuk - voted. An emergency measure was approved at Friday's plenary session, and the good news for Bulgarian farmers was announced by Aliyeva-Veli, who is a member of the Commission for Agriculture and Rural Development.

„The Covid-19 measure, which was approved, aims to compensate producers for the costs of anti-epidemic measures, as well as reduced income from unrealized production. The maximum aid for farmers will be up to 7,000 euros and up to 50,000 euros for small businesses," Aliyeva-Veli said.

She specified that the MEPs decided to give more time to the member states to release the support. The deadline for payments has been extended by 6 months - from 31 December 2020 to 30 June 2021. Applications for support must be approved by the competent authorities before 31 December 2020.

The draft regulation, approved by MEPs and informally agreed by member states, will be submitted to the EU Council for final approval. Once approved by both the Parliament and the Council, the new EU law will be published in the Official Journal of the Union and enter into force.

„In addition to financial support for farmers, a resolution was also adopted to protect the rights and health of seasonal workers. A large part of them are precisely in the "Agriculture" sector, Atidje Aliyeva-Veli also said.

MEPs call on the Commission to issue new, specific guidelines for cross-border and seasonal workers in the context of Covid-19, to propose long-term solutions to tackle unfair subcontracting practices and to ensure as a matter of priority that the European Labor Authority is fully operational.

The document states that member states should increase the capacity of labor inspectorates and ensure quality housing, the rent of which is not included in workers' remuneration.

It is expected that the European Commission will soon present the specific guidelines for the protection of cross-border and seasonal workers.