A part of the areas of farmers markets and joint markets will be intended only for national agricultural products. Parliament approved a bill to this effect in the first reading, IPN reports.

Under the bill, 20% of the areas of markets will be used to sell Moldovan fresh fruit and vegetables. Democratic MP Oleg Tulea, who drafted the bill, said that Moldova is an agrarian country, but it continues to import many agricultural products.

In the absence of clear legislative provisions, the fresh fruit and vegetables are most often sold by the roadside, in unsanitary conditions, or the producers sell their products to intermediaries, which sell them afterward at higher prices.

A number of MPs proposed extending the market areas intended for home agricultural products to 50%. A decision will be taken in the second reading. Veaceslav Ionita suggested instituting penalties for not obeying the given recommendations.