Moldovan speaker, farmers discussed agriculture issues

Parliament Speaker Marian Lupu met on March 12, 2013 representatives of the Farmers’ Union. The sides addressed the consolidated tax in agriculture and the one regarding the VAT for farmers, the parliament’s communication and public relations department has reported.

The farmers’ representatives mentioned that the consolidated tax in agriculture was meant to bring more benefits, to improve the tax record, to remove bureaucratic obstacles, to increase the incomes to local budgets, etc. They also appreciated a draft bill carried out by Democrat MP Andrian Candu, which stipulated that 12 per cent of the VAT (of 20 per cent) should be preserved by farmers. The money should be placed on a special account and intended only for agricultural production. The participants in the meeting also mentioned the good cooperation with the parliament, which backed local farmers’ requests that proved to be important.

Referring to local sugar producers, the farmers’ representatives stressed that the relevant bodies should pay special attention to this sector, as the situation was alarmingly worsening. They also underlined the disloyal competition generated by the penetration of imported sugar on the interior market, due to an inefficient customs management.

Lupu mentioned the need to promote the structural reforms in national agriculture, in sense of increasing the production and competitiveness levels of the local agricultural products. Referring to sugar production, Lupu also noted the fact that tens of people were working in the area and that the authorities needed to take into account the social dimension of the issue as well.

Adapted from: MOLDPRES