Farmers across Bulgaria protest against Ukrainian grain as EU divide grows
The IndependentFor free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Farmers across Bulgaria protested Monday after the government lifted a ban on food products from Ukraine, complaining that the move will cause an influx that drives down prices for local growers. Bulgaria’s National Association of Grain Producers said in a statement Sunday before the protests that farmers are facing “unprecedented difficulties” and called for a ban on a litany of food products from Ukraine. Ventsislav Mitkov, chairman of the United Farmers National Association in Bulgaria, said at a protest in the western town of Pernik, about 30 kilometers from the capital, Sofia, that they want to ban “absolutely everything.” “Stop imports from Ukraine. “We want increased control and immediate payment of the European measures.” The EU said said “the market distortions” created by Ukrainian grain have disappeared.