“Romanian farmers cannot be sacrificed on the altar of superstitions”. Agricultural organizations demand the return of the national anti -urindin system

The interprofessional organization of the producers of vegetables and fruits – OIPA vegetables and the Association of Groups and Organizations of Agricultural Producers – Frueg warns that the suspension of the national anti -urindin system is a decision with serious effects, which was taken without public consultation and without a scientific basis and say that it must be restored immediately.

Suspension of the system unjustifiably exposes the producers. Photo Prefecture Teleorman

“The Romanian anti -urine system, built in the last two decades, is a strategic investment in the safety of agriculture, based on clear scientific principles. It is the result of collaboration between meteorologists, atmospheric physicists, researchers and engineers, and is aligned with successful solutions in other Member States of the European Union – such as Bulgaria, Austria, Slovenia, France and Italy. The technology used – the launch of silver iodide missiles for the disperse of clouds with destructive potential – is internationally recognized and applied effectively in regions exposed to extreme phenomena. Despite this context, by an order issued by the Ministry of Agriculture was ordered to suspend the system, invoking in the public space supposed negative effects on the pluviometric regime – statements that, so far, have not been supported by independent data or scientific expertise.“, The representatives of the agricultural organizations sent in an open letter sent to the President of Romania, Nicuşor Dan and the interim prime minister, Cătălin Predoiu, according to Agerpres.

Agricultural organizations say it is regrettable that such an important infrastructure has been interrupted “Without a rigorous technical evaluation and without consulting the organizations of farmers directly affected”:

In their opinion, the decision does not reflect the opinion of the majority of the farmers and was taken without real consultation, and so far no has been made “Large, documented and transparent consultation”.

Moreover, truly representative organizations – the club of Romanian farmers, pro agro, Oipa vegetables, fruits, oniv – have repeatedly expressed their clear opposition to this measure.

“Maybe a limited group to decide on behalf of all?”

The open letter shows that the decision was influenced by opinions from local NGOs, without national expertise or representative, while the voice of most farmers was not listened to.

“Moreover, the decision to suspend and as a result of assume any losses by the farmers who requested it. It is essential to specify that not all farmers have been consulted and that many of those in the protected areas do not assume this decision. Is it legitimate to ask: Maybe a small group to decide on behalf of everyone? And, if so, does he assume the consequences on those who did not agree?“, is mentioned in the document.

Block any future progress and exhibit the producers unjustifiably

According to the quoted source, since the suspension of the anti -garden system, several regions in the country – especially Moldova and Muntenia – have already been affected by severe hail, with significant losses in the agricultural sector even though most hail struck were not in the system coverage area, and this cannot be an argument to justify the decision. The system is in the process of expansion and development, precisely to gradually reduce the risks in as many agricultural areas.

“The complete suspension of it blocks any future progress and exhibits the producers unjustifiably. In an increasingly unstable climate, the preventive approach is essential, and maintaining the existing infrastructure is a minimum security guarantee for farmers”I draw attention to the agricultural producers.

The signatory organizations offer the example of the neighboring countries, where science is the basis of strategic decisions.

Bulgaria protects, for example, three million hectares through a fully functional anti-urine system, with 273 launch points and specialized planes. The Republic of Moldova recently purchased 1,500 missiles to expand agricultural protection. In both countries, the systems were kept in operation even during recent rains, confirming that their existence has nothing to do with the amount of precipitation, which is determined by regional macroclimitic factors.

Romanian farmers cannot be sacrificed on the altar of populism, ignorance or superstitions.

In this context, OIPA Vegetables – Fruits and Frueg requests the emergency restoration of the national anti -grindin system, the restoration of the budget allocated for 2025 and the blocking of any trial of abusive redirection of the funds, the initiation of a real, transparent and documented consultation with the representative organizations of the farmers and the establishment of an independent system and to evaluate the role of the system. technical in accordance with good European practices.

Also, organizations have appealed to “responsibility and dialogue”, so that Romania does not lose an essential tool of agricultural protection exactly when it needs it.

“Romanian farmers cannot be sacrificed on the altar of populism, ignorance or superstitions. We cannot accept that strategic decisions be made based on handled collective fears, to the detriment of science and results already demonstrated in the field. Antigrandin must be restored immediately.the representatives of OIPA Vegetables and the Association of Groups and Organizations of Agricultural Producers also transmitted –