The Association of Fruit Farmers in Moldova (APFM) asked the specialized ministry to create a group of experts that would elaborate a strategy for the development of fruit farming over the next 10-15 years, Info-Prim Neo reports. “As a result, we’ll have a clear understanding of how to apply the strategy in programs with responsible people and clear duties, concrete financial sources and terms”, reads an Association press release. They also request the VAT rate to be reduced from 8% to 5% on natural products of plants farming and horticulture and animal goods produced and delivered within the country. APFM members think that the sustainable development of fruit farming and its competitiveness enhancing require a profound modernization. Association leader Victor Ungureanu says fruit farmers had to go through a lot of difficulties and learned to produce and associate in order to defend their interests. “State services responsible for monitoring the use of phyto-sanitary chemicals became bureaucratic structures that simply charge a lot of money and issue various certificates. There’s no information about who sets the prices and where this money goes. This is lack of transparency”, Victor Ungureanu said. Fruit farmers claim that attempts of monopolization of fruit exports continue. Financial fluctuations from fruit exports have constantly grown over the last 2 years, with $30 million. „In order to solve their problems, farmers must associate, because only an association can efficiently represent their interest, and that’s if it has enough members, whose contributions assure its functioning”, said Iurie Hurmuzachi, vice director of National Farmers’ Association in Moldova AGROinform. The Association of Fruit Farmers in Moldova was created in 2008 with AGROinform’s support. It has 32 simple members, who manage 3800 hectares of orchards, and 88 associated members who manage about 6000 hectares. APFM has members in 26 districts.