For over a week, Romanian farmers have been protesting on the outskirts of large cities. Their main demands are linked to compensations for the losses incurred due to the import of cheap grain from Ukraine, loans with subsidized interest rates and increased subsidies for the purchase of fuel. In turn, German farmers too protested in the heart of Berlin, and the disgruntlement of peers from all over Europe has been heard in recent days.
EU farmers want additional financial assistance from the European Commission and a new Common Agricultural Policy. The difficulties they face were the core of a debate held in the European Parliament. European Commissioner from Agriculture, Janusz Wojciechowski said the main problem for EU farmers is Russia, its war of aggression in Ukraine and its consequences. He said farmers received 9 billion EUR worth of aid in the last couple of years, in the context where in 2021 only 16% of agricultural exports on the single market were Ukrainian imports, which today stand at 50%.
The EU Commissioner said one reason of discontentment is the green transition stipulated in the Common Agricultural Policy. MEPs across the political spectrum argued in favor of a new agricultural policy to ensure the long-term survival of farmers. Romanian MEP Daniel Buda said the EU agricultural sector is today affected by inflation, draught, floods, labor shortages and the war in Ukraine and in need of more financial resources. In turn, RENEW MEP Dacian Cioloș, a former European Commissioner on Agriculture, criticized the Commission for its lack of action.
„Through its lack of action, the Commission risks jeopardizing the legitimate actions linked to the EU’s climate goals, however implemented sloppishly and shortsightedly. Yes, we need better management of natural resources, soil quality, water and biodiversity. Yes, we need to help Ukraine export its grain to areas that need it, but that should be done in cooperation with farmers, who need coherent measures when asked to invest massive resources on the short-term in green technologies, considering they already have high production costs in terms of energy, fuel, fertilizers and also have to deal with disturbances on the market”.
In turn, EPP MEP Siegfried Mureșan, European Parliament rapporteur for the 2024 budget, said the Parliament has a reserve fund of 450 million EUR devoted to dealing with unforeseen situations in the agricultural sector, and that in recent years the EU has used part of these reserves to help farmers.
Ștefan Stoica, Radio Romania International
