Barna Tanczos, after the farmers’ surprise visit: “Agriculture can no longer be sustainable with these prices”

Acting Minister of Agriculture, Barna Tanczos, met on Monday afternoon with farmers from the Forum of Professional Farmers and Processors (Forum APPR), after they accused him of refusing dialogue with the organization in recent months. The discussions focused on the main problems facing the agricultural sector, particularly the rising prices of fuel and fertilizers, as well as delays in granting support measures.

The farmers initially went to the Ministry of Agriculture on Monday morning, without an appointment, to request a meeting with the minister. They returned at 15.00 and held talks with Barna Tanczos.

The minister said that the meeting was constructive and that Romanian agriculture has numerous associations, forums, and federations, with whose representatives he is trying to hold discussions.

Barna Tanczos presented the steps being taken regarding partial compensation for the price difference for fertilizers. Another topic addressed was intervention DR 31, concerning financial contributions toward the payment of insurance premiums. The farmers are proposing an approach different from that of the ministry, and the decision regarding the implementation period is due to be made this week.

Tanczos warned that agriculture can no longer be sustainable at current prices and called for rapid intervention from the Government and Parliament. The minister emphasized that support granted too late may become useless if farmers can no longer purchase diesel or fertilizers on time or if they become unable to meet their payment obligations.