The agriculture subsidization fund is now 564.7 million lei, but it will be increased by €5 million, which was promised by the European Commission in assistance, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Vasile Bumacov told a news conference. He said that the subsidization fund is now insufficient given that Russia imposed a ban on the import of wine, fruit and cans and they are looking for resources to augment it, IPN reports.
Referring to the protests planned by agricultural producers from northern Moldova, Vasile Bumacov noted that nothing will be solved by protests. Moreover, some of the politicians profit from the tense situation that they caused by making approaches to Moscow in a move to manipulate the people.
“We know very well the created situation. The protests will not help overcome it. We are working and looking for solutions. We have meetings with producers and processors to see what proposals they have. We are holding talks with banks so as to reschedule agricultural producers’ debts. I’m anytime ready to meet with colleagues from Russia to have discussions,” stated the minister.
Asked about the effects of the last ban imposed by Moscow on fresh and canned fruit from Moldova, Vasile Bumacov said that if the whole production is lost, the farmers will sustain losses of US$150 million. “But the fruit will not be lost. The Government will purchase a part of the apples and will give them to kindergartens, schools and the army. The Romanian authorities intend to buy Moldovan apples for the same purpose. We can also export to Ukraine, Belarus, and the EU,” stated the official.
He also spoke about his recent visit to the U.S. on which he was accompanied by Moldovan winemakers. The visit was fully prepared and paid by the United States. The U.S. experts remained impressed by the wines made from Moldovan sorts. An important agreement was signed in the U.S. in this respect. Now Moldova needs a company that would ensure the constant supply of good wines to the U.S. The minister communicated with representatives of the World Bank, who promised to support the Moldovan agriculture in the current difficult situation.
