Die Aufzucht gefährdeter Nutztierrassen in Bulgarien
Breeding Endangered Livestock in Bulgaria

Creative Use of EU Subsidies

Summary/Abstract: The ecological turn in the Common Agricultural Policy of the EU places strong emphasis on biodiversity and conservation of genetic resources and creates opportunities for subsidized raising of endangered livestock. In Bulgaria, these developments have led to an increase in the number of certifying breeding associations. Equally farmers within this particular business niche as well as the breeds and the total number of animals of each breed have risen. Recently, a growing number of actors in the country have become interested in the available subsidies and further involved in the processes of conservation, recovery, imagination and invention of landraces. However, the subsidies are a scarce resource, thus the related Access creates competition and conflicts. The actors apply various strategies in order to obtain these subsidies. They strive to build a convincing, legitimate narrative about the origin, the authenticity, the risk status and even the cultural value of the animals while at the same time trying to discredit and de-legitimize the breeds of their competitors. As a result, the struggle for Access to the subsidies takes the form of a struggle of narratives.

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