The initial response of farmers receiving EU funds is to commit to-and subsequently achieve-specific targets or objectives, while also fulfilling all the prerequisites for accessing the money. It appears that Romanian farmers-whether engaged in general agriculture, vegetable growing, fruit growing, viticulture, or livestock farming-have met these conditions; data from the European Commission, the Ministry of Agriculture, AFIR, and APIA show that, under the current 2021-2027 multiannual financial framework, they received nearly euro6 billion in direct payments and other funding schemes by the end of August 2026. This figure is part of the euro9.8 billion earmarked for direct payments and the more than euro2 billion allocated for farm modernization investments in the country through the Common Agricultural Policy. These euro6 billion reached the accounts of Romanian farmers over the last three years-specifically, the 2023-2025 period. Added to this figure are payments scheduled for 2026, amounting to over euro500 million. Also to be included are the funds allocated from the national budget by the various governments that have held office at Victoria Palace over the past three years to support schemes for farmers-totaling euro2 billion. This figure excludes allocations for the INVESTALIM program and other food processing schemes, funds for rehabilitating and expanding irrigation infrastructure, and compensation paid by authorities for livestock culled during disease outbreaks.
In effect, over the last three years, at least euro8 billion has reached Romanian farmers to maintain or boost their competitiveness. Yet, despite these funds, we see them taking to the streets; yesterday, they protested in front of Victoria Palace, decrying the underfunding of Romanian agriculture and the livestock sector. This spontaneous protest was announced in advance by sheep farmers-a sector that accounts for just 2.4% of total annual agricultural and livestock output in Romania,…
