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Farmers resume protests over unmet demands

Moldovan farmers are set to resume protests on Tuesday, December 5, expressing their dissatisfaction with the government's inaction in addressing their pressing concerns

The farmers, represented by the Forța Fermierilor association, maintain that the government has failed to provide concrete solutions to their demands, which include a moratorium on debt payments and increased financial support for the agricultural sector.

"We have been informed by the Minister of Agriculture that our proposals have been rejected," the association stated in a press release. "However, we have yet to receive a viable alternative solution for rescuing micro, small, and medium-sized farmers from the brink of bankruptcy, which requires immediate action. Every day is crucial for farmers. Each passing day brings them closer to facing foreclosure from creditors, who are exerting increasing pressure."

Meanwhile, the Moldovan presidency issued a statement affirming President Maia Sandu's engagement with a group of grain producers on Monday. Sandu emphasized the government's commitment to supporting farmers during these challenging times and highlighted the substantial assistance provided to the agricultural sector in recent years, including subsidies amounting to 1.9 billion lei in 2023.

"Subsidies for agricultural households should foster competitive businesses that contribute to the state budget and generate employment opportunities," Sandu remarked. "The subsidy fund's objective is to empower Moldovan farmers to produce high-value-added goods, generate profits for enterprises, and contribute to the overall economic progress of the country."

Sandu underscored the need for collaborative efforts with the Ministry of Agriculture to address specific issues and urged the grain producers' group to maintain constructive dialogue with the government.

Moldovan farmers have staged numerous protests in recent weeks, demanding, among other measures, a moratorium on debt repayments to creditors, including the cancellation of bank penalties until October 31, 2024. Additionally, they have called for the government to allocate over one billion lei from the National Fund for Agricultural Development to micro, small, and medium-sized farmers in the upcoming year.

However, Agriculture Minister Vladimir Bolea recently announced that the moratorium sought by farmers on the calculation of penalties for their outstanding loans cannot be implemented due to the absence of a legal framework for such a process and the Emergency Situations Commission's lack of authority to enforce it. The authorities intend to evaluate the financial situation of each farmer individually to assess bankruptcy risks and implement targeted interventions.

Translation by Iurie Tataru

Viorica Rusica

Viorica Rusica

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