Former agriculture minister blames Bolojan and Pîslaru for stalled livestock exports and farmer protests

At a recent press briefing, former agriculture minister Florin Barbu singled out former prime minister Ilie Bolojan and current agriculture minister Dragoș Pîslaru for not taking decisive action to resume live animal exports, which he says would quell the ongoing farmer protest in Victory Square. He argued that a simple political commitment could restart shipments to third-country markets, but one outlet ministry has left the export of ovine livestock blocked.

Barbu also highlighted the failure to release drought-relief funds that were promised about a month ago, noting that delayed payments increase farmers' debt burdens. He warned that a planned transfer of EU agricultural development funds to MIPE after 2028 could create a disaster for Romanian farmers. The former minister cautioned that a blanket vaccination of breeding stock might breach sanitary protocols and jeopardize export agreements, recommending vaccination only for finishing farms destined for export. Finally, Barbu pointed out that other EU states, such as Spain, have resumed exports to countries like Algeria, underscoring Romania's missed opportunities.