The Ministry of Agriculture is holding consultations on the draft law on subsidies in agriculture and rural areas.
This draft law establishes the main policies of the state in the field of subsidizing agriculture and rural areas, the powers of public administration bodies in this area, determines the forms and conditions of subsidies, the specifics of the procedure for accepting applications for subsidies and their consideration. The draft law provides an extensive conceptual framework, formulated taking into account European norms and Romanian experience in the field of subsidies, as well as applications from specialized associations and beneficiaries of subsidies. The law regulates the provision of subsidies for agriculture, forestry, fish farming, as well as economic and cultural activities in rural areas. In accordance with the recommendations of the Council of Europe, farmers are divided into 4 categories - micro (up to 9 employees and a turnover of up to 18 million lei per year), small (up to 49 employees and up to 50 million lei), medium (up to 249 employees and up to 100 million lei turnover per year) and large (more than 249 employees and a turnover of over 100 million lei per year). The main principles of subsidizing agriculture and rural areas are predictability, economic efficiency, transparency, policy sustainability, responsibility, etc. The competent public authority for the implementation of the Law on Subsidies will be the Ministry of Agriculture, while AIPA will manage and control the financial assets of the National Fund for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas, as well as other financial resources. There are 5 types of subsidies: advance, post-investment, phased, direct and additional payments. Staged financing is proposed to be introduced for the first time - funds will be provided for up to 36 months for each of the stages of the investment plan approved by AIPA, while the beneficiary is obliged to contribute at least 50% of the project cost. The draft law provides for certain categories of beneficiaries, for which simpler conditions for granting subsidies are possible. In order to effectively manage the funds of the National Fund for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas, it is proposed to develop an integrated information system that will contain data on land, subsidies, inspections, farmers who have applied for subsidies, etc. The bill is proposed to enter into force after publication in the Monitorul Oficial, with the exception of some of its provisions, for which a transitional period is provided. After its entry, the Law on the Principles of Subsidizing for the Development of Agriculture and Rural Areas will cease to be in force. Consultations on the project are held until February 8: https://bit.ly/40zGxJS. // 06.02.2023 — InfoMarket
