The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR) has posted a draft Emergency Ordinance on decision-making transparency regarding the establishment of a state aid scheme for partial compensation of losses in tomato cultivation in protected areas established in December 2023 - the first quarter of 2024, in the context of the crisis caused by Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

This draft legislative act aims to provide financial support to agricultural producers engaged in primary production of agricultural products, for partial compensation of losses in tomato cultivation in protected areas established in December 2023 - the first quarter of 2024, in the context of the crisis caused by Russia's aggression against Ukraine.

The total value of the aid scheme is 166,206,250 lei, representing the equivalent of a maximum of 33,690,000 euros. If the total payment amount to be granted exceeds the total allocated financial resources provided for in the legislative act, the amount due to each beneficiary will be reduced proportionally.

The amount of state aid is granted per beneficiary and represents the lei equivalent of 1,500 euros for 1000 square meters.

Applications and supporting documents must be submitted by April 12, 2024, inclusive, and the payment of amounts representing state aid is made by June 30, 2024, inclusive.

Field checks are carried out by mixed teams of the County Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development (DAJ) and the Agency for Payments and Intervention in Agriculture (APIA) and aim to identify the area planted with tomatoes grown in protected areas.

Beneficiaries can be enterprises engaged in the primary production of vegetable agricultural products.

Adoption of the draft emergency ordinance will maintain the interest of agricultural producers in tomato production in protected areas, partially compensate the expenses necessary for this crop, and deliver domestic tomatoes to the market during the off-season.

The draft can be consulted by accessing the following link: link