The ban imposed by Russia on the import of meat and meat products from Moldova is political in character and is aimed at making the Moldovans not to vote for the pro-European parties in the November 30 elections. Such statements were made in the program “Fabrika” on Publika TV channel, IPN reports.
Economic expert Viorel Chivriga said both the methods and the way in which Russia imposed restrictions on the import of Moldovan products show that political goals are being pursued. “Russia’s bans are a serious blow to agricultural producers and villagers who face poverty. The Kremlin hopes thus that the dissatisfaction of the people from rural areas will incline the balance in favor of the pro-Russian parties in this autumn’s parliamentary elections,” he stated.
Constitutional law expert Nicolae Osmochescu considers the ban on meat imports has political undertones, but accuses the Moldovan authorities of the created situation. “Since 2003, when the epopee of the Russian bans started, we did practically nothing to riposte with substantiated evidence. The Russians invoked three reasons for the imposition of the ban: the volume of exported meat is larger than the production volume; there are no modern testing laboratories, and that the meat is purchased from private owners. Regretfully, the Russians are right and we do not have arguments to reply. They waited for the opportune moment to strike so as to reduce the number of supporters of the pro-European parties,” he said.
Former Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry Valeriu Cosarciuc denied the fact that Moldova does not have labs for testing meat invoked by the Russians. “Moldova has a lab with modern equipment for determining the quality of meat products. It was opened in 2010. It’s clear that the ban was imposed for political reasons. But the meat producers can sell their goods at home. Measures should be only taken to stop the illegal imports of meat. I understand that the politicians who protect the smuggling in contraband meat receive commission, but these must understand that the situation is critical,” he stated.
