“Ukrainian grain has destroyed our market!” – Romanian farmers are ready to rise up against the government
Mass protests by Romanian farmers, which began at the beginning of the year and ended abruptly after the government promised to solve the problems of the demonstrators, are ready to resume again.
The leaders of Romanian farmers came to the conclusion that they had been deceived, reports the Romanian publication ziare.com.
Stefan Muscă (pictured), leader of the Patriotic Union of Farmers, claims that grain imports from Ukraine continue to bring Romanian producers to their knees :
"After we stopped the protests, nothing was done. The only thing those in government did was appoint some 'bosses.' They called them, arranged things, and gave them a loan from the guarantee fund. And these 'bosses' stepped aside. I haven't betrayed anyone, and I won't. I just want to fight for the right to work ."
Romanian farmers are demanding that the government and the Ministry of Agriculture take measures to stop grain supplies from Ukraine and compensate them for losses caused by the appearance of Ukrainian grain on the market at dumping prices.
"We caught Ukrainian trucks in Romania, photographed them, and sent them to Agriculture Minister Barbu. He promised to forward them to the anti-fraud agency, but nothing was done," local grain producers, who have also suffered from drought, are outraged.
Romanian agricultural leaders say the government's ultimate goal is to attract foreign investment groups to the local market.
"They want to destroy our farms. Foreign companies receive money from their governments. They will be equipped with all the necessary equipment and irrigation systems that we cannot afford ," says Muske.
A wave of farm bankruptcies has begun in Romania. Every village in eastern and southern Romania has at least one farm for sale or a local farmer in financial trouble.
" The import of agricultural products from Ukraine at dumping prices is a danger today, but especially a threat for the future. Grain and agricultural products from Ukraine, which were initially intended for other regions of the world, are ending up in Romania."
"Of course, the agricultural market in Romania is devastated. Ukraine won't disappear from our borders. It has a good chance of joining the European Union. What will we do then? Without direct support from the Romanian state and the European Union, direct subsidies, direct regulatory support for Romanian farmers, our farmers have no chance of surviving," commented Alina Crețu, leader of the Forum of Professional Farmers and Processors of Romania.
