• The Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Adrian Chesnoiu had a working meeting with the Minister of Finance, Adrian Câciu to establish a package of measures to support agriculture and the food industry.
During the working meeting between the Minister of Agriculture, Adrian Chesnoiu and the Minister of Finance, Adrian Câciu, solutions were discussed to reduce the impact of the increase in electricity and natural gas prices for agricultural producers and the food industry.
"We identify the best solutions to support agricultural producers and units in the food industry, in the context of rising electricity and natural gas prices. We will propose in the Executive a coherent package of measures, which will be applied quickly and efficiently. In the medium and long term, we must consider that vegetable production is integrated in the processing area, so that we obtain as many finished products as possible, food that the Romanian market needs. I am a supporter of the integration of the peasant household into the commercial chain, so that our authentic products reach as many consumers as possible" said Minister Adrian CHESNOIU.
Solutions identified
These solutions were identified for electricity in the form of offsetting the cogeneration bonus and the cost of green certificates, but a way to support natural gas bills was also discussed.
It was also considered the possibility of extending the reverse taxation on cereals, a measure that would expire in June 2022. This measure has proven its effectiveness by reducing tax evasion and the gradual elimination of ghost companies that do not pay taxes to the state.
Financing programs in agriculture
Minister Adrian Chesnoiu emphasizes that several normative acts regarding the financing of programs in the field of agriculture have already been sent for approval.
These normative acts refer to the establishment of a state aid scheme for reducing the excise duty on diesel fuel needed in agriculture, to the approval of the minimis aid scheme for supporting garlic production, but also the approval of the program to support the production of vegetables in protected areas for the year 2022 and the normative act on ecological certification bodies.
The Minister of Finance, Adrian Câciu emphasizes that: "Supporting the agri-food industry must become a priority, in order to increase competitiveness and performance in an extremely important field for Romania. Only through realistic programs, with clear targets, will we be able to reduce imports and, at the same time, increase the supply at an accelerated rate, with a positive impact on the trade balance deficit with agri-food products. Romanian farmers must be stimulated to produce goods with higher added value, therefore, for the Ministry of Finance, agriculture is a priority in the financing strategy for this year, whether we are talking about public money or European funds".
Guarantees and credit measures
During the working meeting, Ministers Chesnoiu and Câciu also discussed the Package of measures regarding the financing of the Romanian agriculture and food industry, which proposes the granting of guarantees and crediting measures for:
- working capital;
- refinancing of loans for the capitalization of farmers;
- retechnology/automation of the food industry;
- co-financing of programs to ensure the energy independence of the farm;
- operationalization and operation Romanian House of Agri-Food Trade Unirea to meet the needs of the agri-food sector.
The initiative of the Ministry of Finance to establish the "e-transport" working group is also supported by the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Adrian Chesnoiu.
Thus, the transport of goods from the territory of Romania could be monitored through a new national electronic system, a measure with an impact in reducing tax evasion for the fruit and vegetable sector.
Interinstitutional collaboration program
The two ministers decided, at the end of the meeting, to start an inter-institutional collaboration program, which would generate cross-control actions to verify compliance with the legislation in force in the field of trade in vegetables-fruits and agri-food products.
This program should be implemented as soon as possible and should involve the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Administration and Interior (IGPR), the National Customs Authority, the National Fiscal Administration Authority and the National Sanitary-Veterinary Authority and for Food Safety.
Article written by Gabriela Dan, Editor of Arta Albă
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