After almost two weeks since the meeting with President Maia Sandu, farmers complain that they do not have any result and nothing of what was promised to them, especially at the discussions on amending the law on drought, was delivered, director of the Farmers’ Force Association Alexandru Badarau told a press conference held in front of the Parliament Building, IPN reports.
According to Alexandru Bădărău, the authorities, through their public messages, try to manipulate public opinion. “The promise was that the President will ask the Ministry of Agriculture to publish the complete list of companies benefiting from the subsidies of 7 billion lei, which the farmers allegedly received. Society must see where this money goes. But this promise was not kept,” he stated.
The president of the Farmers’ Force Association Alexandr Brânză noted that the relations between farmers, input suppliers, banks and microcredit organizations are now extremely tense. “Banks and loan associations are categorically against the law and do not want to receive standard notifications from farmers. Some of the producers went abroad. It is regrettable that the authorities do not see this, or do not want to see it,” added the leader of the association.
At the same time, Alexandr Brânză commented on the statements of Minister of Agriculture Vladimir Bolea, who said that over 900 applications were submitted for the 100 million lei aid, which constitutes, according to Brânză, less than 15 percent of those affected. There are many farmers on the verge of bankruptcy, but they are not eligible for assistance because of Law No. 240.
Farmer Sergiu Stefanco said that the farmers want a transparent and constructive discussion so that society and investors know the reality, adding that the authorities are afraid to discuss with farmers. He noted that the situation will yet worsen as payments will have to be made since October. “They aim to pass the presidential election and start the chaos in October-November,” said the farmer.
Dinu Todos, a farmer from Cahul, described the situation in the south of the country as serious. “After several years of drought, a number of farmers are on the verge of bankruptcy. Farmers ask to introduce amendments so that Law No. 240 on drought is viable,” said Todos, calling on the authorities to talk to farmers.
Farmers also demand that the promises made by the presidential administration be respected, that constant discussions be held between farmers and the President’s Office, Parliament and Government in order to find solutions to the problems faced by farmers. They also seek the publication of the complete list of farmers benefiting from payments.
The farmers threaten to mount protests if their demands are not met.
