Romanian Social Democrats To Submit Motion On Agriculture In Lower Chamber On Monday

Surdu said the Agriculture Ministry's overdue debt to farmers, which amounts to nearly 400 million lei (EUR1=RON4.1785), is one of the reasons why they decided to submit the motion. Surdu stressed that at the end of 2009 the ministry committed to pay its entire debt to farmers until February 2010.

Surdu said the motion targets to oust Agriculture Minister Mihail Dumitru, as he failed to hold efficient negotiations with European Union officials as regards the common agricultural policies, which, he underscored, are vital for Romania in point of receiving EU funds for agriculture and rural development.

Conservatives announced on April 27 that the simple motion on agriculture had been completed and forwarded to the social democrats. PC spokesman Bogdan Ciuca said at the time that the motion calls on the Agriculture Ministry to present its strategy replacing farming state aid, since as of this year, the European Commission no longer allows subsidies. The motion also asks that VAT on agricultural products be reduced to 5%.

Under the Chamber's Regulation, a simple motion can be initiated by at least 50 deputies. If the motion passes, the Chamber's decision will be further submitted to the Government, which will consider lawmakers' standpoints included in the motion and its rationale.

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