Wednesday seems to have become a traditional day for protests by dairy farmers and September 17 was no exception, with farmers protesting in a number of places in Bulgaria.

Bulgarian dairy producers and other farmers have been demonstrating for more than a month, demanding the payment of their state subsidies for the months after February 2008. Now they insist on receiving 60 million leva promised by the Cabinet. The European Commission (EC) had finally agreed in principle that the Cabinet allocate the sum. The EC agreed that first and second category farms should receive 10 000 euro each. However, the farmers protest against the way the money is distributed because it would not reach smaller producers, mediapool.bg said.

In Sofia, the protest was more symbolic, gathering about 20 people, mediapool.bg said. The protest in Rousse was not particularly well attended either. But those taking part said they would send a letter to the EC commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development, Mariann Fischer Boel, demanding a meeting. The farmers claimed that the Cabinet was continuing its incompetent policies towards the sector.

Farmers from the region of Vratsa and Plovdiv gathered at the entrance of the southwestern town of Byala Slatina, although they had no permission to protest, mediapool.bg said. Haskovo region farmers also failed to receive permission. However, there were also demonstrations in the region of Gotse Delchev and Stara Zagora, with protesters at the latter event threatening to block border checkpoints.