Protests in Bulgaria’s northeastern agricultural region of Dobrudzha against investment plans for prospecting and extraction of natural gas continue today.

The Municipality of General Toshevo is playing host to the final public debate on the environmental impact evaluation report of the investment plan for prospecting and extraction of natural gas in the Spasovo field.

Investors envisage construction of 5 sites and 41 drillings. People are adamant that they will not allow this to happen and want the state to intervene.

The plans have sparked a series of protests in recent months. Protesters are afraid that gas extraction will pollute water and air, and the main livelihood in the region - agriculture - will be ruined.

Earlier today, in the center of General Toshevo protesting farmers gathered with more than 150 units of agricultural machinery.

A declaration of the Association of Bulgarian Grain Producers was read in which they protest against this business unusual for Dobrudzha. According to them, the 35-year concession required will multiply all risks and will be detrimental to agriculture, which is a major livelihood in the region. The Dobrudzha Farmers Union also issued a declaration against gas extraction.