Timely payment of subsidies intended for farmers represents “top priority” of the Ministry of Agriculture, said interim minister Tanczos Barna on Monday, after a working meeting with Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Agriculture.
Tanczos Barna. PHOTO: Facebook
Tanczos Barna emphasized that all the necessary amounts are provided in the institution's budget, but procedural support is needed from the Ministry of Finance to avoid possible blockages in the payment process.
“The most important priority is the timely payment of subsidies intended for farmers and ensuring procedural support from the Ministry of Finance, in order to avoid any blockages, considering that all the necessary amounts are provided in the budget of the Ministry of Agriculture”, Tanczos Barna relayed on social media.
Measures on swine fever and the pigmeat market
The discussions between the two also covered the situation in the livestock sector, especially the pork and milk markets.
Tanczos Barna announced that the package of measures to combat African swine fever will be finalized during Tuesday, to be presented to the Prime Minister on Wednesday, together with the management of ANSVSA.
Also then, a new draft regulation on the marketing of fresh pork meat will be presented.
Support for breeders and new aid schemes
The Ministry of Agriculture is currently working on the development of support schemes for pig breeders and milk producers, within the limits of the temporary state aid framework adopted at the level of the European Commission.
According to the interim minister, a concrete set of measures is to be presented during the meeting scheduled for Wednesday.
Help for garlic and potato growers
Regarding the de minimis support for garlic and potato growers, Tanczos Barna stated that he agreed with Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan to reanalyze the proposals before the Government meeting on Thursday.
The interim minister emphasized that the two sectors are essential for Romanian agriculture, but they are currently facing a deficit in the trade balance, which is why they need support measures “fair and proportionate” from the Government.
“Both sectors, important for Romanian agriculture and currently facing a deficit in the trade balance, must benefit from the support of the Government, correctly and proportionally, in order to be able to consolidate and develop”. said Tanczos Barna.
