President Igor Dodon neglects the provisions of the legal framework and the opinions of scientific institutions and, as a result of his irresponsible and populist statements made before farmers, forces the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment to approve of an adventure that endangers Moldova’s fertile soils, said the member organizations of the National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum and environmental organizations, IPN reports.

The signatory organizations warn about the resumption of pressure exerted by President Igor Dodon and groups of interests from agriculture in order to have the legislation amended and use strategic drinking water reserves from under the ground for irrigation purposes. The small volume of surface water is due to the fact that the small rivers were turned into channels for wastewater. Most of the owners of lakes do not have management regulations and do not assume responsibility for maintaining the quality and quantity of water.

The signatories consider the legalization of access to strategic drinking water resources for irrigation purposes is a national crime against the environment, natural ecosystems, the population’s health and economical security. Inevitably, the irrigation with groundwater will generate soil degradation and will deprive the localities of drinking water. This will lead to a human catastrophe.

The statement is addressed to the EU Ambassador to Moldova Peter Mihalko, Moldova’s Parliament and Government and the Ministry of Agriculture, Regional Development and Environment. It was signed by 58 SCOs of the National Platform of the Eastern Partnership Civil Society Forum and 19 environmental organizations.