The National Association of Tobacco Producers-2010 (NAT-2010) is set to raise the issue of de minimis for registered producers at the next Tobacco Advisory Board, to be held no later than mid-June. Meanwhile, tobacco planting for the year has begun, with progress ranging from 28-29% for the 'Basmi' variety in southern Bulgaria, and 23-24% for the 'Kaba Kulak' variety in northeastern Bulgaria. The planting of large-leaf 'Burley' and a second large-leaf tobacco group is also underway. The start of transplanting has been delayed by 15 days due to cold spring temperatures, but is expected to catch up with warmer weather in late May. Producers planning to grow the crop must be registered by 31 May.