Genetically Modified Organisms (GMOs) in Bulgarian agriculture

摘要

Bulgaria, one of the newest members of EU, occupies an area of 111 000sq. km with a population of approximately 7 800 000. Agricultural land is 5 885 500ha. Bulgaria is a traditional producer of agricultural goods. In 2005, agriculture contributed 13%of GDP employing 26% of the population. Agriculture is one of the few branches in the national economy where exports exceed imports. In Bulgaria conventional agriculture is still predominant. In 2006 among the principal crops about 62% of the agricultural land was used for growing of cereals; 31% oleaginous crops; 5% forage; 2% industrial crops. The production of wheat takes a leading position and totals 3 301 882t with an average yield of 3 403kg/ha, followed by maize (1 587 805t) and sunflower (1 196570t). Recently there have been no significant deviations in production with the exception of the continuously increasing sector of energy crops - mainly rape. The substantial use of fertilizers and crop protection chemicals is common practice in Bulgaria. For example, in 2006, 89% of the area sown with wheat was treated with nitrogen containing fertilizers (phosphorus - 9%, potassium - 4%). In relation to crop protection chemicals the corresponding figures were: herbicides - 80%; insecticides - 14%; fungicides - 16%.