The European Commission is sending Bulgaria a letter of formal notice over the discriminatory measures the country is imposing on retail traders, obligating them to give preferential treatment to local foods.

According to the EC, forcing traders to display local foods conspicuously and to buy 90% of the milk from local producers restricts the free movement of goods, an underlying principle of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.

In connection with the letter sent by the Commission, the Bulgarian Ministry of Agriculture and Food stated that the measure taken by Bulgaria does not affect the free movement of goods produced in other countries. There are no bans or restrictions on the supply of products from EU member states and third countries on the territory of Bulgaria. The purpose of the ministry’s actions is to support Bulgarian production and preserve the livelihood of the small local producers in the context of unprecedented global health, economic and trade crisis.