The European Union supports the organic agriculture development by creating new opportunities for farmers who decided to switch from conventional to the ecological system. They can apply for specific support to improve the quality of agricultural products in the farming sector from the 1st of September until 15th of October 2012. Unlike previous years, the condition that forced farmers not to have outstanding debts to the state or local budget at the date of application, has been removed.

Same farmers could receive more money from the EU, according to a draft government decision issued by the Ministry of Agriculture, after the total amounts awarded to improve this sector have increased. Thus, the budget for “Specific aid scheme for producers of milk and beef in disadvantaged areas” was increased from 3.098 million euros to 4.098 million euros.

Subsidies for organic farming are higher than those paid by farmers practicing conventional agriculture. For example, for areas between 0.30 and 5 hectares, the granted additional annual payment is of 1,500 euros. In the poultry sector, poultry farms with a flock of 500 birds receive annual support of maximum 1,500 euro, that increases to 3,000 euro for those with more than 500 birds.

At cattles, the maximum limit is of 800 euros for those with more than 20 heads and 2,000 euros for farms with more than 20 cattles. For beekeepers support varies between 750 and 950 euro per year.

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