PLDM criticizes Govt. over agricultural policy

The Liberal-Democratic Party from Moldova (PDLM) is concerned with the Government's stance on the farmers, considering it irresponsible and paying attention only to some firms affiliated to the rulers. The statement was made on Thursday, September 11, at a news conference, Info-Prim Neo report. The party's leader, Vlad Filat, states there is a deep crisis noticed in the agriculture, generated by the Government's inability to manage the sector in conformity with the general rules of supporting the farmers and the sector applied by all the developed countries. The subventions in this respect are very important as they reach up to 400 euros per hectare. Yet in Moldova, they make everything to make people not like to work in farming, different barriers are set to make them lose continuously, Vlad Filat says. According to the MPs, the subventions in agriculture are insufficient, and they are distributed non-transparently on clan principle. The PDLM leader says another obstacle on the peasants' way is the lack of long-term loans, while the mortgage mechanism completely lacks. This year, the farmers are impelled to sell their grain at trifle prices – the barley -- against 1.3 lei and the wheat – against 1.1-1.2 lei, not managing to cover for the expenses to produce the cereals. Only firms affiliated to the ruling power work on the market, having the right to buy the cereals for which the Cahul-Giurgiulesti was built, which cost over $2 million, Filat says. The MP also says there is no transparency in holding auctions on buying wheat for the state reserve, being favored only the firms favored by the Government. Exporting the produce is also problematic, there are barriers in exporting the wine in bulk, in providing preferential railway services. Filat says the cartel agreements have made impossible to store the produce for the producers, the warehouses are also in the hands of the same companies affiliated to the authorities. The parliamentarian says the Moldovan producers are discouraged by the high fuel prices. “The oil barrel costs less than $100, while the leu has appreciated considerably. The fuel should drop at least 50% in price, while the importers made them only 8% cheaper,” says the PDLM leader. Another top leader of the party, Nicolae Olaru, a producer from Rezina town, says it is almost impossible to work in agriculture. “We're skinned always. The Government does not know, cannot and does not want support to the local producers,” Olaru says. According to him, the producers are deceived, a depicting example being the decision to exempt the farmers from the Value Added Tax. He says the Government promised them that if they buy equipment, seeds, etc., VAT will be refunded in 5 days, but half a year has passed and they have got no money. The PLDM demands the Government to stop the kind of agricultural policy as was described by the party.