Moldovan farmers demand extending restriction of Ukrainian grain imports, threaten to block checkpoints

MOSCOW. Dec 23 (Interfax) - The Farmers' Power Association in Moldova intends to block all checkpoints on the border with Ukraine if the Moldovan government does not extend restrictions on Ukrainian grain imports, which expire on December 31, while the Moldovan Agriculture Ministry has said it will approve a corresponding bill by the end of the month, Ukrainian media reported with reference to Moldova's newsmaker.md online publication.

The association said in a statement that a bill on extending the restriction of grain and oilseed crops from Ukraine was published on December 18, and public consultations on it could continue until January 1.

"This legislation may take effect only at the end of January or in mid-February 2025 [...] The Farmers' Power Association and two other specialized associations have asked for extending the restriction for a long time. However, our authorities have decided to protract this process for as long as possible. And now, 11 days before the temporary restriction is to expire, the prices of local sunflower producers have started to go down," it said.

The association warned that it would gather for an extraordinary board meeting, where it could decide on "a possible protest measure."

"This concerns the blockage of all road and railway checkpoints on the border with Ukraine if the authorities do not urgently extend the restriction," the association said.

The association's head, Alexandru Badarau, said it would not protest if the authorities extend the restriction. "The problem is, farmers do not trust the government's promises. They have always delayed the implementation of their promises," Badarau said.

The Moldovan Agriculture and Food Industry Ministry published a statement on its website on December 20 to announce that the licensing of grain and oilseed imports from Ukraine would be extended. It referred to a previous official statement on the matter.

"A draft will be approved by December 31, 2024 to ensure the continuity and stability of the domestic agrarian market amid current challenges. We regret the circulation of false conjectures in the public environment," it said.

As reported, on October 4, 2023, Moldova's National Commission for Emergency Situations decided to introduce the licensing of imports of wheat, corn, and sunflower while the state of emergency remained in effect. Former Agriculture Minister Vladimir Bolea said this was done to stabilize domestic market prices, protect local producers, and tighten control over the quality of imported produce.