The protest mounted by farmers who brought their agricultural machinery in front of the Government Building seems to be a political action and a new party called “Force of Farmers” could soon appear on the political arena of the Republic of Moldova, said PAS MP Vasile Grădinaru. He expressed his bewilderment at the fact that out of all the agricultural associations, only one is dissatisfied. For his part, ex-minister of agriculture Ion Sula, chairman of the European Social Democratic Party, said the eventual bankruptcy of agricultural producers will endanger the country’s food security, IPN reports.
Hundreds of farmers brought their agricultural machines in front of the Government Building on Tuesday, seeking support from the state for avoiding bankruptcy. The farmers demand to be paid subsidies of 3,000 lei per ha of grain crops of the first group at least, to ban the import of grain and oleaginous products from Ukraine, to persuade the Giurgiulesti International Port to export first Moldovan agricultural products and to modify the VAT refunding procedure. Representatives of the ruling party said that farmers’ demands look political in character as only representatives of the Association “Force of Farmers” express their dissatisfaction.
“The people should ask several questions. Why does only one of all farmers’ organizations protest? Who is the leader who encourages the protest? Isn’t this a former party deputy chairman who swears that he is not a politician, but actually acts like a politician? They see that the Government takes particular measures that are going through procedures, though the Government and reach Parliament and are voted. If the bill was given a final reading, it will also be given a second reading. Why do they think that this will not happen? This makes me believe that this is a political issue on which they try to capitalize. I will not be surprised if a new party called “Force of Farmers” will appear on the political arena of the Republic of Moldova in a year and a half,” Vasile Grădinaru stated in the program “Résumé” on RliveTV channel.
In the same connection, PSDE chairman Ion Sula said the Government should help the farmers cope with the crisis and should seek financial assistance from the foreign partners.
“The farmers in the Republic of Moldova could go bankrupt and this will affect the country’s food security in the medium term. Today, most of the farmers have debts. Most of them have products in stock, but the new harvesting campaign will start in southern Moldova in ten days already. The price of the harvested production is much lower than production costs. The subsidies promised last year weren’t paid, while the demands regarding logistics haven’t been satisfied. Subsidies cannot be paid from the state budget as we realize that this is limited, but a solution can be provided by our partners. Today the Republic of Moldova is credible and if we explain the necessity of this money, solutions will definitely be found,” said the former minister of agriculture Ion Sula.
“The Government realizes the difficulties faced in the agricultural sector and is looking for solutions, including with the European partners, so as to support the farmers.” This is the reaction of Prime Minister Dorin Recean, who discussed with the farmers who came together in the Great National Assembly Square of Chisinau.
