Compulsory Inclusion of Organic Food in Public Procurement Threatens Local Producers
The regulation requiring the mandatory inclusion of organic food in public procurement for delivery to schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and state institutions is written in a way that instead of encouraging local organic farmers, it threatens to crush them with imports of eco-food.
Bulgarian producers of organic products warned about this during the 8th International Conference “Organic Production – Challenges and Trends” in Plovdiv, organized by the Bulgarian authorities.
Regulation on Organic Products
The Association “Bioproducts”, the foundation “Bioselena” and with the support of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food (MAF) have been involved in one of the most heated discussions sparked by the draft regulation presented by Hristo Stoev from the Ministry of Environment and Waters. The document was prepared with the leadership of the eco department with the assistance of the Public Procurement Agency, but there was also a consultation with the Ministry of Agriculture and Food.
Acknowledgment
However, Hristo Stoev admitted that the texts were written without a prior study of quantities.
ова показва разнообразието от био-продукти, които се произвеждат от български биоземеделци. Важно е да се отбележи, че това не е само стимул за развитие на биоземеделието в България, а и изпълнение на климатичните политики на Европейския съюз. Експертът подчертава, че свободният пазар позволява на потребителите да имат достъп до различни видове био-картофи, мляко, плодове и зеленчуци, дори и да не се произвеждат на местно ниво.
Introduction
An order for ecological requirements for certain products subject to public procurement (NEOPP) will now include a list of organic foods that must be included in public procurement for deliveries to kindergartens, hospitals, schools, and other public institutions. This is expected to happen for the first time this fall, with organic products accounting for 2% of the total food quantities. Each year, the percentage will increase, reaching 10% by 2031.
Implementation
If Bulgarian organic farms cannot provide the necessary quantities, suppliers from other countries will be allowed to participate in the public procurement process. This is to ensure that the required organic foods are available for delivery to public institutions, in line with the new ecological requirements.
Impact
This initiative aims to promote the consumption of organic foods and support organic farming practices. By including organic products in public procurement orders, the government is taking a step towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly food system. It is hoped that this will not only benefit public health but also encourage the growth of the organic farming sector in Bulgaria.
Catering Services
Catering services consist of three main parts – food delivery, catering services, and vending machines. The product group includes direct food supply and catering services (internal resources/facilities or outsourcing through a catering company).
The regulatory text states that food can be delivered directly from manufacturers, wholesalers, or importers, or it can be part of the service provided by contract catering companies.
The Importance of Supporting Local Organic Producers
Bioproducer Yordan Yordanov has issued a warning about the dangers of allowing foreign traders to supply organic food in public procurements. This could have a devastating impact on local farmers, as it would give traders the freedom to import biofoods from other countries, potentially putting local producers out of business.
List of Organic Foods
The list of organic foods that will be included in public procurements covers several food groups. These include dairy and dairy products, meat and meat products, fish and fish products, oils and fats, cereal-based foods, grain-based foods, and soups. Vegetables and fruits can be raw, canned, frozen, dried, or fermented.
Supporting Local Agriculture in School Meals
Bozhidar Petkov, chairman of the raspberry and berry producers, has requested a guarantee that at least 60-70% of the fruits, vegetables, and dairy products purchased for schools are Bulgarian. He explained that these products are still unpopular among our producers and they may not be ready with the quantities for this year’s trades. This limitation should be in place until every producer is able to meet the demand. In addition to fruits and vegetables, the school meals also include juices, sugar, sweets, honey, nuts, and oilseeds.
Challenges in the Bulgarian Organic Wine Industry
The Bulgarian organic wine industry is facing challenges in getting its products included in trade lists, unlike their Austrian counterparts. Albenа Simeonova, a producer of organic wine, highlighted this issue and emphasized the need for better forecasting to meet demand.
Petkov, a key figure in the industry, emphasized the importance of accurate predictions for future production to meet market demands. Without proper planning, Bulgarian producers risk being left behind in the competitive market.
Manovska from the Public Procurement Agency acknowledged the exclusion of wine and spirits from schools and hospitals but promised to review this policy. It is essential to address these issues to ensure a level playing field for all producers in the industry.
Public Procurement in Bulgaria
Svetlana Trifonovska, a government official, recently announced a new initiative aimed at improving public procurement in Bulgaria. She mentioned that this initiative will impact over 5300 public institutions such as schools, kindergartens, hospitals, and other government organizations.
This new program is designed to streamline the procurement process, making it more efficient and transparent. By implementing new policies and procedures, the Bulgarian government hopes to reduce corruption and ensure that taxpayer money is being spent wisely. This initiative is essential for promoting accountability and good governance in the country.