The Minister of Environment and Water Asen Lichev informed the Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria by letter about actions the MOEW had taken on the requested comprehensive inspection of the project for the construction of an insect farm in the area of ​​the Sofia village of Lozen.

In response to the concerns of the residents of the village of Lozen, expressed to the MOEW and the Ombudsman of the Republic of Bulgaria, the Minister of Environment and Water commissioned RIEW-Sofia to recall its previously issued opinion and resume administrative proceedings under the Environmental Protection Act.

In June 2021 NASECOMO AD submitted to RIEW-Sofia its notification for investment proposal for remodeling a building of production and administrative functions into a pilot insect farm. On 21.09.2021 RIEW-Sofia expressed by letter the opinion that the investment proposal is not subject to the regulated EIA procedures.

After the resumption of the proceedings by Minister Asen Lichev, RIEW-Sofia will review its position on the notification of investment proposal. According to the provisions of the Environmental Protection Act, the procedure includes active provision of information to the affected population at the earliest stage and public participation in the decision-making for the implementation of the investment proposal.