Romanian Fin Min To Unblock 2009 Overdue Subsidies For Farmers By Friday

Agrostar federation leader Stefan Niculae said farmers will not halt protests until the overdue money the finance minister promised to pay off enters bank accounts.

"We will not halt protests. We are trying to get overdue subsidies for last year and unblock EU funds. We won't quit protests until we see the money in our accounts," said Niculae.

Dumitru said farmers will receive overdue subsidies for 2009 after funds are made available.

Talks between Vladescu and unionists also touched on setting up a guarantee system for the implementation of EU funds and on issues regarding irrigations.

The agriculture minister said authorities will look into ways to reduce irrigation costs.

Asked if the Finance Ministry is working on a bill to regulate procedures to apply VAT on agricultural products, Vladescu said the ministry has drawn up a draft act to fight tax evasion in the agriculture sector.

Vladescu said Agriculture Ministry representatives and representatives of employers in the sector are currently analyzing the draft normative act.

The new VAT procedures entail the value added tax on agricultural products will be applied in stores, and not during the fabrication process of agricultural products.

If you liked this story, please follow MEDIAFAX.RO on FACEBOOK »

The content of mediafax.ro is for your information only. Republishing or using this content is forbidden without express consent of MEDIAFAX. For this consent, please ask for it by mail at vanzari@mediafax.ro.