“Things must find their balance. We have reached an agreement that we will not see Greek and Turkish shootings during the upcoming campaign,” commented Mayor Ognyan Atanasov.
He pointed out that the buyers of the red fruits demand that they not be treated with a certain preparation – “Dimethoate”, as well as with plant protection preparations prohibited for use on the territory of the European Union. “There are people who purchase such preparations. After the cherries are sprayed, they are bought, the quarantine period is not observed, this thing goes to the factories, and then to the buyers this production is returned. After several such cases are received, the campaign ends,” said Mayor Atanasov.
He pointed out that small producers can open outlets on their own land. For this purpose, those wishing to have a branch in their own or rented property must submit a scheme to the municipal administration. The document is issued within one week. Based on the document, a permit will be issued by the Regional Food Safety Directorate. It was noted that cherries for processing up to 24 mm caliber will be purchased.
Cherry growers have indicated that there is a problem with an NRA regulation that affects the sale of the produce. Assistance from the agency is yet to be sought. Talks will be initiated with the Hail Agency. The goal is that in the coming years, Kyustendil will fall within the agency’s scope of action. A meeting with the Labor Inspection WILL be organized. It concerns the employment of labor with temporary employment contracts. It was stated that it is not a problem for a person to be employed on a one-day contract and to receive social benefits.
The regional governor, Alexander Pandurski, indicated that the goal is for the campaign to go smoothly, within the framework of good interaction between producers, consumers, the Municipality and the Region.
The representatives of the buyers expressed their satisfaction with the organized meeting and the fruitful discussion that took place.
Professor Dimitar Domozetov, former director of the Institute of Agriculture in Kyustendil and a current farmer, clarified the expected production from the cherry plantations. Their flowering this year has been intense and fast. “Pollination happened nicely. We will have a good and rich harvest, but at the same time it will be a little smaller”, comments Prof. Domozetov.
According to the expert, the first dangerous period was related to the frosts, but it has passed. The second period is that of hail, and the third is the heavy rainfall during the campaign itself.
