MEP LAURENŢIU REBEGA:  "Losses of 5.1 billion Euros for European farmers following the embargo imposed by Russia"

Farmers in the European union have suffered losses of 5.1 billion Euros following the embargo imposed by the Russian Federation, MEP Laurenţiu Rebega told us. He also said that so far, the Ministry of Agriculture has not calculated the losses suffered by Romanian farmers.

Laurenţiu Rebega told us that the domestic agricultural output may see an upward trend in 2014 compared to 2013, and the weight of agriculture in the GDP this year will be about 6%. "In order to protect farmers from potential shocks, such as the crisis between Russia and Ukraine, the European Commission should create a crisis budget for farmers, with increased flexibility. Furthermore, the new European Commissioner for Agriculture should resolve the problems of dealing with crises at the level of the European Union", the MEP told us, who considers that this political crisis that we are going through is the main element that endangers the Romanian agricultural market and Romanian producers.

In our conference which was held on Friday, Laurenţiu Rebega said that the domestic producers and retailers are having trouble due to unfair competition. The MEP says that when a sector, such as agriculture is affected, the effects cascade into other areas as well, and the European Commission has not succeeded in finding solutions for the farmers affected by the Russian-Ukrainian crisis.

Mr. Rebega has emphasized the fact that the authorities need to protect the farmers, and the local market should not bear these political pressures. In his opinion, the authorities should ensure a management of risks and crises, as well as food security and safety.