The Ministry of Agriculture is looking for financing solutions for stockbreeders and fruit farmers

C.D.

Officials of the Ministry of Agriculture had talks Wednesday with representatives of fruit and hog breeders in an attempt to find solutions for funding the two sectors, given the current crisis circumstances.

The association of apple growers in Transylvania, which attended the negotiations, submitted several proposals to the Ministry of Agriculture concerning the granting of financial aid for the fruit farming sector, to help alleviate the effects of the world crisis.

According to a press release by the Ministry of Agriculture, the representatives of the fruit farming sector requested aid for investing in replacing old plantations. Fruit farmers suggested a reconversion-type aid, which would allow them to replace aging orchards. They also requested financial aids which the state would still be allowed to pay between 2009 and 2013 (according to EU restrictions).

"In order to come up with viable solutions, that actually stand a chance of being approved in Brussels, the officials of the association have requested continued meetings and consultations with the officials in the ministry, and with the European professional organizations", the press release says.

According to the previously quoted source, a reunion of the vegetable and fruit farming workgroup was set for May 27th, which will try and come up with solutions for implementing the proposals, in compliance with the European legislation, so as to establish a well defined and sustainable strategy, for the 2010-2013 time frame.

In turn, stockbreeder professional associations submitted proposals for the support of the hog breeding sector, in order to mitigate the effects of the world crisis.

Stockbreeders suggested extending the validity of Law 150/2003 concerning production loans for farmers and providing support for programs for biosecurity and livestock hygiene and welfare in farms. Representatives of the hog breeding sector also requested an 80% subsidy for environmental investments and 50% for expenses incurred in storing and using organic waste as fertilizer, financial support for improving breeding performance, and also for the construction of breeding farms.

A meeting for discussing the hog breeding sector was set for Monday, May 11th, 2009, to find a solution for implementing the proposals, while still complying with the European legislation, in order to establish a clear and sustainable strategy for 2010-2013.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture, the next meeting of the working group will take place Friday, May 15th.