The “Farmers’ Force” Association seeks the extension of the controlled import of grain and oilseeds from Ukraine, and not its prohibition – a measure active in the European countries neighboring Ukraine as a tool to protect local agricultural producers. In a letter addressed to Prime Minister Dorin Recean, Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea and the responsible parliamentary commission, the Association said that if the authorities do not identify an urgent solution, the farmers will protest en masse, IPN reports.

“Reading the reaction of the authorities in the press yesterday, in response to the public appeal launched by our association, we request an urgent meeting with Prime Minister Dorin Recean and the Parliament’s commission on agriculture in order to discuss the extension of the control measures by licensing the import of grain and oilseeds from Ukraine,” reads the Association’s letter.

The representatives of the “Farmers’ Force” specify that the extension of this instrument of controlled import is vital for the survival of small and medium-sized farmers in Moldovan villages. The experience of last year, when the Government applied this measure very late, caused enormous losses to local farmers, estimated at over 2 billion lei. Their financial situation is extremely critical at the moment.

“We inform public opinion that we request the extension of the controlled import of these products and not its prohibition – a measure that is currently active in the European countries neighboring Ukraine as a tool to protect local agricultural producers. If this call to find a solution as quickly as possible to protect local farmers from unfair competition in Ukraine is ignored by the Government and Parliament, we reserve the constitutional right to mount massive protests,” noted the Association.

The licensing of the import of grain and oilseeds was introduced for the first time on October 11, 2023 and was functional during the state of emergency (until December 31, 2023). The next decision to maintain this measure was taken on January 5, 2024 and extended on April 8, with the June 26 deadline. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry specified that the regulation through licensing can be carried out for a period of no more than three months, which can be extended only once by a maximum of three more months. Therefore, the maximum period for which the licensing of the import of grain and oilseeds could be applied was reached.