Before receiving a favorable opinion, Florin Barbu’s hearings for the position of Minister of Agriculture were marked by accusations related to a legislative amendment concerning the classification of reed-covered areas in the Danube Delta as grasslands, followed by discussions about subsidies and possible fraud involving European funds at institutions subordinate to the Ministry of Agriculture. Barbu responded by asking lawmakers to move beyond political disputes and stated that he could implement the first measures in the governing program within the first 100 days, including fixed-interest loans.
Meanwhile, farmers called, during meetings with the authorities, for swift interventions to cope with rising fuel and fertilizer prices, criticizing delays in granting support measures. The discussion intersected with the reduction of the excise duty on diesel: the government approved the amendment of the scheme that provides funding for farmers until March 2026, while political voices advocated reducing VAT and temporarily eliminating the excise duty on diesel, drawing attention to the effects on the economy and on costs in agriculture.
