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THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION initiated the SAPARD Program
in 1998 to support the efforts made by the candidate countries
in the pre-accession period as they prepare for their participation
in the Common Agricultural Policy and the single market of
the European Union. The objective is to provide financing
for a wide range of measures for structural adjustment of
agriculture and rural development as part of the common accession
strategy of the candidate countries.
THE SAPARD Program will be implemented for a 7-year
period - from 2000 to 2006. For that purpose, the European
Commission decided, on 20 July 1999, to allocate 520 Million
EURO annually under the program. The amount of direct subsidy
to each of the 10 candidate countries has been determined
on the basis of objective criteria such as: rural population,
agricultural area, Gross Domestic Product in purchasing parity,
and the specific territorial situation.
BULGARIA received an annual subsidy allocation of
52 124 000 EURO which, compared to those of other applicant
countries, is the third highest allocation after those of
Poland and Romania. With the incurred interest, this allocation
has grown to 53 026 000 EURO, and this is the amount that
will be spent each year to finance the measures of the National
Agriculture and Rural Development Plan (NARDP).
NARDP was approved on 13 September 2000 in Brussels
by the STAR Committee and adopted by the European Commission
on 20 October 2000. It is the official document, which will
guide the implementation of SAPARD. The Plan has 4 priority
areas with 12 measures in the public and private sectors that
will be financed under the program.
THE MULTI-ANNUAL FINANCING AGREEMENT between the Republic
of Bulgaria and the European Commission was signed on 18 December
2000, and the Annual Financing Agreement was signed on 12
February 2001. Following the accreditation of State Fund Agriculture
as SAPARD Agency (the implementing agency) on 15 May 2001,
Bulgaria became the first country to which the management
of SAPARD aid was conferred. With the accreditation Bulgaria
completed all EC requirements that must be fulfilled in order
to start Program implementation.
THE OFFICIAL START of SAPARD implementation was declared
for 1 June 2001 following the publication of the regulations
on the terms and procedure for granting SAPARD aid under 3
of NARDP measures in the State Gazette (№ 50/ 01.06.2001):
- Regulation № 14 / 18 May 2001 on the terms and procedure
for granting SAPARD aid for investments in agricultural holdings
- Regulation № 15 / 18 May 2001 on the terms and procedure
for granting SAPARD aid for development and diversification
of economic activities, provision of multiple activities and
alternative income
- Regulation № 16 / 18 May 2001 on the terms and procedure
for granting SAPARD aid for improving the processing and marketing
of agricultural and fishery products
In 2002 the SAPARD Agency is expected to receive accreditation
for the implementation of the remaining NARDP measures, namely:
- Setting up producer groups
- Development of environmentally friendly agricultural practices
and activities
- Forestry and afforestation of agricultural areas, investment
in forestry holdings, processing and marketing of forestry
products
- Management of water resources
- Wholesale markets
- Renovation and development of villages, protection and conservation
of rural heritage and cultural traditions
- Development and improvement of rural infrastructure
- Improvement of vocational training
- Technical assistance
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