In addition, the “Forța Fermierilor” council, as stated in the organization’s press release, “highly commended the stance taken by a number of agricultural associations that have officially opposed the VAT increase on agricultural products. At the same time, we regret the government’s attempts to divide farmers and select organizations that are more amenable to dialogue. We urge our colleagues to be more assertive and not allow themselves to be used.”
Nevertheless, the “Forța Fermierilor” council agreed to participate in consultations with government officials “with the aim of developing a consolidated position with the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Industry (MAIA) regarding the VAT rate in agriculture.” Although the association’s position has not changed in the sense that it “will not accept any option that increases the tax burden on micro, small, and medium-sized farmers.”
However, a compromise is still possible. “If a decision is not made to maintain the reduced VAT rate in the agricultural sector at 8%, then the only compromise acceptable to ‘Forța Fermierilor’ would be to maintain a 12% difference between the reduced and standard (20%) VAT rates on farmers’ accounts—without remitting the difference to the budget.
According to the organization’s representatives, this would also be a good solution for protecting the domestic market, “given that all imports of agricultural products are expected to be subject to a 20% VAT rate.”
