European Economic
and Social Committee
EESC RENEWAL: Stoyan Tchoukanov is the new NAT Section President
EU Member State responsible for his nomination as EESC member:
Bulgaria
Nomination as representative of:
Beef Breeders Association of Bulgaria (BBAB)
Educational background and professional experience:
I hold a Master of Engineering degree in Selection and Reproduction of Livestock from the Agricultural University of Plovdiv, Bulgaria. After advanced training on beef breeding and meat production at Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas, USA, I began developing my PhD thesis: ‘Ecologic and genetic factors for development of extensive livestock breeding in Bulgaria’. The genetic data and breeding values used in my thesis were collected during my work at BBAB, where I have been serving as president for the past 10 years. I have a beef cattle farm in south-east Bulgaria. I began my second term of office as member of the EESC in September.
Motivation for the EESC's NAT Section Presidency:
Honest and non-ideologically bound representation of agri-food producers, operators and rural citizens and their true needs in the face of the approaching catastrophe (triple planetary crisis). As a farmer personally affected by the consequences of climate change, I believe we need to find a proper balance between the three pillars of sustainability (economic, environmental, and social) in order to crisis-proof the European agri-food system and build real food sovereignty. European nature is suffering and requires immediate action. Our duty is to act as the dedicated section - the EESC's Section for Agriculture, Rural Development and the Environment (NAT) - representing civil society in the EU policy-making process.
Priorities and mission:
Making peace with nature in a pragmatic way came up spontaneously as a motto.
- Building a more resilient and fairer food system through nature-preservation-oriented agriculture based on scientifically proven advancements.
- Fair profit distribution and proper remuneration for the most vulnerable along the agri-food supply chain, supporting generational renewal.
Top priorities will also include:
- A focus on rural and coastal areas and their urban connections as two-way relationships, particularly in light of the ongoing energy transition and persistent poverty;
- Circularity and nature-based solutions to address the carbon footprint, sustainable water management and air pollution;
- Organic and regenerative forms of farming to stop the degradation of our soils and provide healthy products of the highest quality;
- Climate policies and mitigation/adaptation measures to support the EU’s targets and keep in line with the European Green Deal.
All this while keeping in mind the triple planetary crisis and the United Nations' 2030 Agenda, supporting the Sustainable Development Goals. Working to achieve even more visibility for the work of the EESC and the NAT section at all levels.