The Communist Party (PCRM) demands that the Government should immediately take measures to save the agricultural sector. One of the proposed measures is to stop the implementation of the Free Trade Agreement with the EU, which forms part of the Association Agreement, IPN reports.

Communist MP Oleg Reidman told a news conference that the consequences of the signing of the Association Agreement with the EU are disastrous. One third of the exports are in danger, while authorities’ statements about the processing of non-exported products at Moldovan factories are aberrant as the processing capacities are very low. There are no keeping and storage conditions.

Communist lawmaker Gheorghe Anghel presented statistics, saying the number of collective farms has decreased. In 2008, there were 1,573 farms, while in 2012 – 1,489. The annual average number of employees at these farms in 2008 was 74,200, while in 2012 – 46,900.

“This is a direct consequence of the lack of state support for farmers. The subsidies were reduced considerably and are distributed according to political criteria. An inefficient fiscal and budgetary policy is pursued in rural areas,” said Gheorghe Anghel.

According to the Communist MPs, the harvest losses this year will total minimum US$150 million, while the losses of wine products, cans and sugar – US$350 million.