Brussels suspends two more measures under SAPARD

Bulgaria should restrain from payments under measure „Development and diversification of economic activities" and measure „Investments in agricultural holdings". This is written in a letter of Jean-Luc Demarty, Director General of EC Directorate-General for Agriculture, addressed to the Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Focus Agency announced.

The announcement was made at a press conference by the Deputy Prime Minister Meglena Plugchieva. In the presence of Valeri Tsvetanov, Bulgarian Minister of Agriculture, Plugchieva announced that after an audit carried out between 26 and 30 May by the Directorate-General for Agriculture at SAPARD Agency, as well as after OLAF's inspection, the European Commission has recommended that these two measures should be suspended.

Plugchieva did not specify the value of funds under the projects suspended in connection to the two measures.
Following a reporter's question, The Deputy Prime Minister noted that the letter was received only yesterday and they need time to estimate the amount of suspended funds.

According to Valeri Tsvetanov, the letter of Jean-Luc Demarty was about "12-15 sentences". It said briefly that irregularities had been identified in connection with a couple of cases.

As Meglena Plugcheva stated, Bulgaria was going to prepare an action plan until 31 July. A working group has been established as of today which should establish in details the cases of irregularities until Monday. Minister Valeri Tsvetanov promised to give another press conference on Monday.