The EU enlargement process introduces new opportunities for small farmers in the Balkans, but also new risks. Slow Food Bulgaria and Osservatorio organized a conference in Sofia on the protection of the region's traditional food

Similar to many other parts of the world, recent years have witnessed a real revival of interest in traditional, local and healthy food in the Balkans, a region known for its fertile land, great weather and long-standing expertise in producing some of the tastiest products to be found.

EU accession has certainly brought new market and export opportunities to local farmers, but experts are also alarmed about the decline and even extinction of some traditional products in younger member states like Bulgaria and Romania.

In an effort to raise awareness about this process and prevent it from happening in other Balkan countries aspiring to join the EU, Slow Food Bulgaria recently organized a conference in Sofia aimed at offering a broader view, and possible solutions to, the problems facing small agricultural producers.