The draft law that stipulates support measures for farmers affected by drought was given a first reading by Parliament. It provides for the legal suspension of payment obligations towards creditors for a period of six months. Also, the obligation to pay the outstanding debts accumulated to creditors through negotiation of the parties will be restructured, rescheduled or, as the case may be, suspended. The bill also extends the financial guarantees issued by the Organization for the Development of Entrepreneurship, IPN reports.

Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bolea, Minister of Agriculture and Food Industry, said in Parliament that 2024, in terms of weather conditions, is an atypical year, with a series of natural calamities, such as hail, drought, dust storms, late spring frosts. All of them affected the state of agriculture.

“The drought affected, according to preliminary data, 69,000 hectares in a proportion of 60-70%, 44,000 hectares in a proportion of 71-80%, 57,000 hectares in a proportion of approximately 81-100%. The rains and strong winds affected over 7,200 hectares, of which about 1,000 hectares in a proportion of 81-100%. Hail affected over 4,000 hectares. The late frost affected over 3,800, of which 1,300 in a proportion of 61-70%, and 2.2 – in a proportion of 81-100%,” stated the minister.

The measures decided by the authorities are intended for farmers who have obtained credits, goods or inputs used for agricultural activities and whose agricultural crops were at least 60% affected by drought in 2024, and the affected cultivated area constitutes no less than 50%.

MP of the Bloc of Communists and Socialists Radu Mudreac said that this bill must be improved as very few farmers will benefit from its provisions because of the eligibility criteria.

The draft law is to be given a final reading.