The Cabinet approved the legislative initiative regarding the provisional regulation by licensing of imports of grain and oilseed crops. The given measure will be applied until the end of 2024, IPN reports.

The need for regulation by licensing imports is explained by the fact that the flow of grain and oilseeds from Ukraine, imported into the Republic of Moldova, can cause significant losses to farmers as they will be put in the extremely complicated situation of not being able to sell their products or to sell them at prices lower than the production costs, given that the production is much lower than expected due to drought and floods.

The draft law is to be examined and adopted by Parliament. Its provisions will enter into force on the date of publication in the Official Gazette.

The licensing of imports of grain and oilseeds was introduced for the first time on October 11, 2023 and was functional during the state of emergency (until December 31, 2023). The next decision to maintain this measure was taken on January 5, 2024 and extended on April 8, with the June 26 deadline. Farmers’ associations sent an open letter to the authorities, asking for the extension of the controlled import of grain and oilseeds from Ukraine.