Agriculture Minister moves to dismiss state secretary over corruption case
The Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, Ludmila Catlabuga, announced her intention to initiate the dismissal procedure for State Secretary Tatiana Nistorică. This decision follows the actions taken by the National Anticorruption Center (CNA) and the Anticorruption Prosecutor's Office regarding a corruption case.
In a public statement, the minister condemned any act of corruption and assured that the ministry would fully cooperate with investigative bodies.
“I firmly condemn any form of corruption and will not tolerate abuse or favoritism in any capacity,” declared Ludmila Catlabuga.
The head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAIA) stated that, following investigations by law enforcement officers, she would order the dismissal of the official in question.
“The National Anti-Corruption Center (CNA) and the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office have conducted procedural actions involving a state secretary of the ministry. I will immediately initiate the procedure to dismiss the state secretary who is the focus of the investigations. The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry will fully cooperate with law enforcement and will provide all necessary information to clarify this case,” stated the minister.
At the same time, Catlabuga refrained from commenting on the specific details of the criminal case, citing the exclusive authority of law enforcement institutions.
We remind you that on Thursday, July 2, the State Secretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry, Tatiana Nistorică, was detained by CNA officers in connection with a corruption case. According to investigators, she allegedly received money from a business representative to influence decision-makers at the National Agency for Food Safety. This influence was aimed at resuming the authorization for the import of poultry and animal feed from Ukraine, which had previously been suspended due to identified irregularities.
The representative of the involved company was also detained in the same case. Searches took place in the operational office and other locations.
Tatiana Nistorică had been appointed State Secretary on February 11, 2026, shortly after imports of certain products and feed from Ukraine were suspended following the discovery of metronidazole, a prohibited substance. Later, in March, the authorities partially resumed imports following consultations with the Ukrainian side.
