October 14, 2009



The National Assembly passed on second reading the amendments to the Farmers Assistance Act. The changes foresee that the state Fund "Agriculture" would supply, under certain conditions, funds to commercial banks, which provide loans to farmers in implementation of projects under the SAPARD program and the measures and schemes of the EU Common Agricultural Policy (CAP), implemented by the Paying Agency.

The Minister of Agriculture and Food will determine by an ordinance general and regional criteria for permanent pastures, which will be eligible for subsidies under the single payment for arable area.

Permanent pasture, according to the additional provisions, is land used for growing grass or other herbaceous forage, which was not included in crop cultivation for five years or more. Exceptions are land fallowed in accordance with European regulations.

Parliament had not adopted the 2008 operational Report of the Health Insurance Fund. After about two hours discussions lawmakers rejected it with 119 votes against, and 40 in favor. The Parliamentary Committee on Health did not endorse the report either.