Romanian Minister of Agriculture Visits Târgu-Mureș, Announces Key Support Measures for Livestock Farmers

Florin Barbu, Romania’s Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, paid a working visit to the city of Târgu-Mureș, where he met with livestock farmers at the Prefecture headquarters and toured a swine farm in Dămieni, Mureș County.

During the meeting, Minister Barbu emphasized the Ministry’s efforts to support Romanian farmers in a particularly challenging agricultural year: "Last year was a difficult one, but we succeeded in allocating over €1.2 billion in additional grants, on top of the €2.6 billion provided through direct payments under Pillar I."

Key topics discussed with farmers included:

• Increasing agricultural subsidies to the EU average
• Maintaining the two Pillars of the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP)
• Combating unfair trading practices affecting local processors
• Fuel excise compensation for agricultural use
• Clarification of regulations on grazing and pasture laws

The Minister also presented the 2024 agricultural year report, highlighting a major achievement in Brussels: securing the amendment of GAEC 8 requirements, thereby eliminating the obligation for farmers receiving subsidies to leave 4% of their land uncultivated.

A key focus of the visit was promoting energy independence for farms. Through the Agency for Rural Investment Financing (AFIR), €300 million will be allocated for installing photovoltaic panels, and another €590 million will go toward modernizing the agri-food sector.

Minister Barbu also announced the start of payments for Coupled Support for Livestock (SCZ) and the Transitional National Aid (ANT), along with the launch of four strategic programs to boost Romanian livestock farming in the following sectors: swine, poultry, beef cattle, and dairy.

In the swine sector, Romania is expected to produce approximately 3 million pigs, with a focus on integrating reproduction and fattening operations. In the poultry sector, support for breeding and incubation will continue, with the country projected to reach a record 490 million chicks per year.

For dairy and beef cattle farms, financing of up to €3.5 million per project will be available for activities such as breeding, fattening, slaughtering, and technological upgrades.

One of MADR’s strategic objectives is to turn Romania into a regional leader in agri-food processing, through investments totaling around €2 billion in modern processing facilities.

The Minister noted that all issues raised by farmers are already on the Ministry’s agenda, including:

• Controlling foot-and-mouth disease
• Increasing subsidies for milk and beef cattle
• Expanding the silage maize eco-scheme starting in 2026
• Taking a firm stance against the Mercosur trade agreement in the agri-food sector
• Creating a standardized lease contract with clear conditions
• Facilitating farmers’ access to retail supply chains
• Engaging in government-level discussions on the impact of wild animals on farms