Bikers, banned pesticides and a car park

The Financial Supervision Commission and ombudsman Velislava Delcheva have tabled legislative proposals to help motorcyclists following a near-doubling of compulsory third-party premiums.

The package includes seasonal policies to replace year-round cover, plus instalment payment options. The Commission is also investigating insurers for unjustified price rises; if profiteering is found, the Consumer Protection Commission and anti-corruption bodies will be notified.

The motorcycle community had threatened protests if no action was taken.

The Ministry of Agriculture and the Bulgarian Food Safety Agency have broken up a major contraband pesticide network, seizing more than 60 tonnes of illegal plant-protection chemicals since February. Last year's total for the entire 12 months was just 8 tonnes.

The haul includes neonicotinoid pesticides, banned by the EU because they kill bees, and expired products with no labelling. Such substances can cause cancer in humans if consumed via treated crops. Sites were raided in Svishtov, Pleven and Shumen districts.

Agriculture Minister Ivan Hristanov said the contraband was entering Bulgaria's soil, groundwater and surface water supplies. Dr Angel Mavrovski, executive director of the Food Safety Agency, confirmed that one of the country's largest farms was implicated in the Svishtov operation.

Shumen Municipality has opened a fresh tender for the multi-storey car park east of Polyclinic 1, months after councillors killed the original proposal over fears it would concrete over a garden.

The new brief shrinks the site area. The building will have two underground and two above-ground levels, linked to the polyclinic by a heated walkway, plus retail units at ground level along Simeon Veliki and Panayot Volov streets.

The contract value remains €91,140 including VAT. Bids close 4 June.