• On 6.04.2023/2023/XNUMX, in Sinaia, the ROMPAN XNUMX General Assembly took place.
The ROMPAN General Assembly is the event where the representatives of the companies in the milling and bakery sector can meet for dialogue with both guild colleagues and representatives of the authorities.
Among the guests at the event held on 6.04.2023/XNUMX/XNUMX were Găman Ioan, state secretary in the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Dănuț Păle, vice-president of ANSVSA, Georgian Pop, president of ANRSPS, Dragoș Frumosu, president SYNDICATION and Sorin Minea, president ROMALIMENTA.
During the ROMPAN 2023 General Assembly, the sector data for 2022 were presented and the current problems of the milling and baking industry were discussed. On the agenda were the report of the ROMPAN Board of Directors, both regarding the actions carried out in 2022 and the program of activities for 2023, then the execution of the income and expenditure budget, the censor's report, the reception of new members and the exclusion of members from the association.
The 2022 data for the milling and baking industry show a number of 8732 bakery, pastry, and confectionery companies registered at ANSVSA, with a turnover of 1,8 billion euros and with around 45.500 employees, while for milling there are 963 companies, with a turnover of 700 million euros and around 4.500 employees.
Production capacities by subsectors
Production capacity figures reported by sub-sectors show 12.000 tonnes/day for wheat and maize flour, 10.000 tonnes/day of bread and bakery products, 500 tonnes/day of pasta and 500 tonnes/day of biscuits.
Through state aid programs and schemes, or through own investments, 67% of the capacities in milling, 72% in bakery, pastry, 100% in the pasta industry and also 100% in the biscuit industry were modernized. According to the studies carried out during the previous year, the production of bread and pastry amounted to 1.440.000 tons, while for flour 1.250.000 tons were recorded, at a capacity utilization rate of 55% in milling and 58 % in bakery.
The president of ROMPAN, Aurel Popescu, also presented the normative acts approved by the governors regarding the sector he represents, pointing to GEO154/2022 of November 16, 2022 regarding the establishment of the state aid scheme to support operators in the manufacturing industry of milling products , of oils and fats, dairy products and preparations for feeding farm animals, an ordinance that is still under debate in the Chamber of Deputies.
Action 4.1.1. this time also sparked animated discussions among those present, given the fact that its implementation is an extremely difficult process, and many are waiting for these vital funds to continue the activity.
Legislative issues specific to the bakery sector were also discussed, such as the School Horn program and school meals, OUG140/2022 regarding the Single Industrial License, Labeling and Regulation of correct information conditions for online and loyalty card sales.
Legislative issues specific to the sector
On this topic, Aurel Popescu, the president of ROMPAN, drew attention to a Draft Law on the marketing of iodized salt, which stipulates the prohibition of iodized salt in bakery products. He also raises the issue of the intention to legislate the procedure for fortifying flour, through various additions (for example iron).
Also within the framework of legislative issues, the Project for amending the law on food waste was discussed, as well as the updating of the good practice guidelines approved by ANSVSA in 2005.
Given the current situation on the grain market, during the event it was proposed by ROMPAN representatives to increase the quantities of wheat from the state reserve and purchase new quantities, as well as attract new warehouses, including mills for wheat from the reserve. Georgian Pop, president of ANRSPS. reaffirmed the support of the represented institution to the milling and baking sector, being open to dialogue and the resolution of any situations that arise.
And Dr. Dănuț Păle, vice president of ANSVSA, confirmed the collaboration between the represented institution and ROMPAN and assures that it is still open to any request from the Employer.
Stop Waste to VET
A special moment during the ROMPAN General Assembly was the presentation given by Victorița-Daniela Voica, ROMPAN vice-president, regarding the project "Methods to reduce food waste in flour products by developing the specific skills of specialists in the sector". This project "Stop Waste to VET", was carried out by ROMPAN in collaboration with important universities both in the country and abroad and was co-financed by the Erasmus program of the European Union.
The event did not end before those who wanted to raise certain issues could directly address their questions to the representatives of the authorities, but also to the Patronage, resulting in a number of future interventions that BREAKING will undertake them to defend the interests of the sector represented.
Article written by Gabriela Dan, Editor of Arta Albă
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