Moldovan farmers protest drought crisis
Frustrated by the government's inadequate response to the deepening agricultural crisis, Moldovan farmers are gearing up for widespread protests.
The Farmers' Force Association has announced warning protests on December 18th and 19th, 2024, in front of the Government and Parliament buildings, respectively. The association warns that if the government fails to take immediate legislative and economic action to avert the crisis, they will escalate their protests to a nationwide scale.
Farmers are particularly incensed by the government's delay in adopting Bill 354, proposed by PAS deputy Alexandru Trubcă and farmers' associations. This bill aims to address the severe drought that has crippled the agricultural sector.
The Farmers' Force Association has outlined the following demands:
- Urgent approval of the drought law project proposed by PAS deputy Alexandru Trubcă.
- Extension of the import licensing period for grains and oilseeds until December 31, 2025.
- Immediate payment of outstanding subsidies for 2023.
- Refund of excise duties to farmers for 2024.
- Establishment of a credit guarantee and refinancing mechanism for the 2025 agricultural year.
In September, the Parliament approved a temporary measure suspending debt payments for farmers affected by the drought. However, this measure has proven insufficient to alleviate the crisis. Farmers have staged numerous protests, including one in front of the Presidential Palace, to express their discontent.
In response to the growing crisis, Alexandru Trubcă, the chairman of the parliamentary committee on agriculture and food industry, proposed a new draft law aimed at providing additional support to affected farmers. This draft law includes an extension of the debt payment moratorium until October 31, 2025. However, the draft has been stalled in Parliament due to a lack of government support.
Translation by Iurie Tataru
