Moldova introduces import licensing for wheat, corn and sunflower seeds

On October 4, the Emergency Situations Commission of Moldova decided to introduce regulation for the duration of the emergency situation by allowing the import of certain agricultural goods.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry of Moldova, it is about licensing the import of wheat, corn and sunflower seeds.

Only legal entities or individuals engaged in economic activities in the production of oils and vegetable fats, flour milling products, and preparations for feeding and breeding farm animals will be eligible for import licenses.

The application for a license must be accompanied by documents justifying the need to replenish the relevant stocks. In this case, goods loaded for shipment prior to this decision will not be subject to licensing.

Requests for licenses will be considered by a commission set up by the Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food from its representatives and representatives of the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization, the National Food Safety Agency, as well as representatives of relevant associations. The Ministry promises to develop regulations on the organization and work of such a commission within 15 days.

“The licensing of grain imports to the Republic of Moldova is a necessary process to regulate agricultural trade in the country. Our goal is to control and monitor grain imports, thereby ensuring the quality and safety of food for consumers,” said Deputy Prime Minister Vladimir Bola.

Thus, according to the official, it will be possible to establish stricter control over the quality of imported products, ensuring their compliance with food safety standards. He noted that licensing will help stabilize grain prices and protect local producers by balancing their interests, the interests of consumers and the state.

According to the report, the licensing will apply to all the products mentioned, regardless of the country of origin, including Ukrainian products. However, there is no mention of Ukraine in this context.

As a reminder, neighboring Romania has also introduced licensing for the import of wheat, corn, sunflower seeds and rapeseed from Ukraine, agreeing not to return to a complete ban after the expiration of such a restrictive measure on September 15, introduced on behalf of the European Commission in the interests of five EU countries.

At the same time, Ukraine, for its part, will license the export of the aforementioned agricultural products. Bulgaria agreed to this mechanism, except for the import of seeds, which will still be banned until the end of November.

It was reported that Slovakia has also agreed to mutual licensing. Poland, on the other hand, insists on extending the national ban on imports of four crops, and Hungary has expanded the list to 24 items.

Tags: Ukraine, corn, wheat, sunseed, Moldova, restrictions