Three farmers’ associations ask the government to introduce a formal state of emergency in agriculture enabling loan payment postponements and fiscal vacations.

In a joint letter penned by the presidents of the National Farmers’ Association, Moldova Fruct and Farmers’ Force, farmers complain about struggles caused by the draught, the Russian export ban, and the competition from “excess Ukrainian goods”.

According to them, the drought affected 80-90% of the corn harvest and 60-70% of the sunflower and sugar beet harvest. The political ban on Moldovan exports to Russia affects the fruit and grape sectors.

The joint letter also says that farmers are under pressure from multiple debts to banks, suppliers and other creditors.

On September 5, the three associations plan to hold a joint meeting of their boards, and Prime Minister Natalia Gavrilița together with Agriculture Minister Vladimir Bolea are invited to participate to discuss the proposed state of emergency and potential measures.

The letter concludes by saying that for the past month the associations had been in permanent dialog with the Ministry of Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry regarding the need to institute a state of emergency, but the discussions didn’t end successfully.