Romania unreservedly supports the content of the joint declaration on the agricultural aspects of the amendment of the European Union (EU) – Ukraine trade agreement and considers it essential to set up a crisis fund for the EU agricultural producers, said the country’s Minister of Agriculture, Florin Barbu, at a meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (Agrifish).

‘The fact that we come together in this format and represent the agricultural sector of our countries obliges us to act concretely and in solidarity. It is no longer enough to take note of concerns. It is time to formulate clear measures to protect our most severely affected agricultural sectors. Through its involvement, Romania has demonstrated that it is a neighbour and a strategic partner. Important efforts have been made to facilitate the agricultural exports of the European Union, of Ukraine, Romania being the main exit gate,’ Barbu said in a video posted on a social media platform.

Barbu added that it is the EU’s obligation to protect and defend the interests of European farmers.

‘We are under an obligation and we have a great responsibility towards our farmers and those in the European Union to protect and defend their interests. Romania unreservedly supports the content of the joint declaration on the agricultural aspects of the amendment of the European Union-Ukraine trade agreement. As I have said in previous speeches in this council meeting, our duty is to protect our farmers, to take all measures to ensure that they can continue to produce and to ensure our food security. That is the reason why we are here and it is mandatory to carry out this mandate to the benefit of our farmers.’

In addition, he said that it is essential to set up a crisis fund for EU agricultural producers, to compensate for losses caused by excessive imports from Ukraine.

‘The fund should be flexible, accessible, fast and adjusted to the real impact on the ground, especially in the most exposed border regions. At the same time, we support the introduction of a two-year review clause to allow an efficient adjustment according to the market developments. Romania is not asking for privileges, but for fair treatment and measures proportional to the impact suffered. If we want the single market to remain functional, then we must integrate these protection measures directly into the revised agreement,’ Barbu said at the Agrifish meeting.

Barbu participated on Monday in a meeting of the Agriculture and Fisheries Council (AGRIFISH) in Brussels, Belgium. He was accompanied by Dana Rebega, general director of the General Directorate for Rural Development (AM PNDR).