Tánczos Barna: Farmers will not receive subsidies without a budget revision

Romanian farmers risk not receiving the promised subsidy and aid payments by the end of the year if the Government does not approve a budget revision. Deputy Prime Minister and interim Agriculture Minister Tánczos Barna said on Monday, October 19, that the ministry needs between 1.2 and 1.5 billion lei to make the payments.

The minister said that numerous applications have already been submitted and the support schemes are ready, but the Agriculture Ministry’s budget has not been increased since May. The situation also affects programs financed partly through European funds, for which Romania must provide co-financing from the state budget.

The measures announced include support of 68 euros per head of cattle, aid of 12–14 euros per accommodation space in the pig farming sector, compensation for farmers affected by drought, and a program for purchasing fertilizers. Tánczos Barna said some projects have already been approved and published in the Official Gazette, while others are in the final stage of approval in Parliament. The Ministry of Finance has been officially informed about the budgetary impact of the programs.