Participation of UHAB, BSPB, and Green Balkans at BATA AGRO 2025 – Supporting the Conservation of the Saker Falcon

Between May 12 and 16, 2025, the traditional agricultural exhibition BATA AGRO took place in Stara Zagora, showcasing not only innovations in agriculture but also initiatives dedicated to nature conservation. Teams from the National Hunting and Fishing Association – Union of Hunters and Anglers in Bulgaria (UNAB), the Bulgarian Society for the Protection of Birds (BSPB), and Green Balkans participated in the event as partners in the project "Securing the Recovery of the Endangered Saker Falcon in Bulgaria and Southern Romania" (LIFE20 NAT/BG/001162).

The initiative is part of the project’s activities aimed at preserving biodiversity in agricultural areas and focuses on building partnerships with farmers. During the exhibition, the teams held a number of meetings with agricultural producers, presenting the benefits of sustainable farming practices, including methods to reduce pesticide use.

Special attention was given to the newly published "Handbook of Good Agricultural Practices", developed under the project in cooperation between NLOA-BFHA, BSPB, The Habitat Foundation, and the Eberhard Karls University of Tübingen. The handbook offers concrete recommendations for implementing practices that support the conservation of the Saker Falcon and other endangered species, while also promoting sustainable agriculture.

The Minister of Agriculture, Dr. Georgi Tahov, also visited the NGO stand on the opening day of the exhibition and was introduced to the project’s activities. He expressed his support for efforts to protect biodiversity and promote good agricultural practices in Bulgaria.

Participation in BATA AGRO 2025 provided a valuable opportunity to build bridges between conservationists and farmers – a key element for the sustainable recovery of the endangered Saker Falcon in the country