Experts believe that adapting regulations and regulations for the qualification of organic products to European standards could boost the volume of production in Moldova.
In order for the field of cultivation and processing of organic agricultural production to develop, it is necessary to adapt the legislation of the Republic of Moldova according to European standards and regulations. This would also facilitate Moldova's access to external financing, which would encourage local producers to invest in this sector of agriculture. These topics were discussed today in a panel discussion organized by Ecovisio, together with EkoConnect with the participation of experts from Moldova, Ukraine and the European Union.
Oleg UȚICĂ, expert in the field of Legislation on organic agriculture in the Republic of Moldova, mentioned that the Legislation of the Republic of Moldova in this field is outdated, the latest version of the law being approved in 2004. clarifications suggested by the legislative bodies. The main purpose of the law is to make certified products visible by labeling and marking correctly so as not to be confused with products that do not have certificates but claim to be grown according to organic principles. This would boost the certification process for manufacturers. At the same time, the new legislation aims to boost exports, taking into account European regulations.
Vladyslav Zhmailo, a policy and safeguard coordinator at IFOAM, an international organization that helps maintain the sustainability of agriculture around the world, said Moldova could take over some practices implemented by Ukraine, which boosted exports of organic products to the country. According to Vladislav Zhimailov, it is important to adapt viable European norms and standards for countries such as Ukraine, Moldova, Kazakhstan, Russia that have a special import-export regime in and out of the European Union. All the standards and regulations that are applied to products for export to the European Union will at least allow producers to access more substantial subsidies that would allow producers to grow more organically.
Stefan Dreesman, one of the experts, mentioned that from his experience, the European regulation changes quite often and he would adopt the regulation in its entirety as it is at the moment, the harmonization being a rather difficult and long process in his vision. The new regulation is more complicated, from his point of view, and each country has to decide for itself, because there is a lot of work behind it, it involves a lot of resources, time. Dreesman specified that if possible, it would be good to postpone this new regulation to be finalized and implemented by other EU countries.
The event was organized by the Association EkoConnect (Germany) and EcoVisio (Moldova) within the project "Twinnings for a Prosperous Organic Agrifood Sector in Moldova and EU" dedicated to regulations in organic farming.
The participants in the talks agreed to establish a twinning partnership between IFOAM International and the Public Association "Vitality" on the left bank of the Dniester in Moldova in order to allow the development of a new service for its members - representing their interests before public authorities through advocacy for a better legal framework and subsidies, as well as consulting farmers and processors on how to navigate in the current legislative context. IFOAM, for its part, is interested in strengthening its capacity and understanding of current developments in the Republic of Moldova on both banks of the Dniester in order to better consult enterprises and governments on organic farming.
The event was opened to an extended circle, so several other stakeholders participated (BSO and representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture, representatives of certification bodies, etc.)
