The quota of 50% of store shelves intended for national products is to be abolished. Parliament gave a first reading to a bill to this effect. According to the Ministry of Economy, which is the author of the initiative, this provision sounds nice and patriotically, but it runs counter to the international commitments undertaken by the Republic of Moldova and violates the fundamental principle of international trade, IPN reports.

Vadim Gumene, secretary of state at the Ministry of Economy, said in Parliament that the proposed law will protect the small producers from abusive clauses and will facilitate their access to shop chains all over the country. It is suggested ensuring a balance in the negotiation power and eliminating unfair trading practices.

“The goal of the bill is to achieve a number of end results. First of all, it goes to the adjustment of the national legislation to Directive 2019/633, including the abrogation of the shelf quota,” stated the official. He noted that this principle is present in all the free trade agreements signed by Moldova, including with the EU, Turkey and CIS.

In the debates, MP of the Bloc of Communists and Socialists Radu Mudreac said the legal provisions on the shop shelf quota were aimed at supporting and promoting national producers. But it is not clear why the Government didn’t ensure the implementation of this law that has been in force since July 2021.

Vadim Gumene explained that there are no provisions specifying how the 50% is calculated and this quota does not help the national producers. In the best case, this provision can help the large producers that have the capacity to negotiate with traders. The proposed bill facilitates the access of small producers.

When put to the vote, the bill was supported by 56 MPs of the Party of Action and Solidarity. The BCS and Șor Party MPs voted against. The initiative is to be given a final reading.