It appears that the role of trees in combating climate change has been overestimated. Trees may not be capable of absorbing as much of the carbon that is warming the planet as previously thought.
Ukraine is tightening controls over its organic food market. The country’s parliament recently passed a new law on state regulation of organic production, distribution, and labeling of organic products.
Agri-food producer associations did not appreciate “Minister MAIA’s ostentatious intolerance of any form of corruption, abuse of power, or protectionism.” However, the leaders of these organizations—some openly, others anonymously—felt it necessary to remind the head of the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry of the existence of “the presumption of innocence, professionalism, and human decency as a matter of principle.”
Starting in 2027, farmers will be able to take advantage of the “zero VAT rate,” said Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu. According to him, the main problem lies not in the VAT rate itself, but in the accumulation of VAT in the accounts of economic entities and delays in its payment.
The searches and the detention of an official at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Industry (MAIA) are related to Order No. 263 dated June 18, 26, signed by the Director General of the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA) Radu Mustiață. According to information on the agency’s website, the order remains in effect and has not been revoked.
This week, the heads of the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Industry (MAIA) and the ANSA agency made a working visit to Brussels (Kingdom of Belgium). The visit’s itinerary included a series of high-level meetings with representatives of the European Commission.
The European Commission is urging Ukraine to accelerate the expansion of the European rail network in the country. The new transport link is intended to provide a direct connection to the EU’s transport system. Officials in Brussels note that such steps will facilitate integration into the Trans-European Transport Network (TEN-T) and aid in the country’s post-war reconstruction. This was reported by the Odessa Journal website.
An audit of the “Pădurea Domnească” Nature Reserve revealed serious violations in the institution’s operations. “Shortcomings were found in reforestation efforts, as well as financial problems and five months of unpaid wages,” said Environment Minister Gheorghe Hazder. He demanded the dismissal of the reserve’s director and immediate measures to rectify the situation.
Farmers agreed to suspend their roadside protests in exchange for a promise from ministry officials and the government as a whole to set forth a clear, official position on the proposed reform of the VAT system for agricultural products by June 30. However, no official statements on this matter were issued by the agreed-upon deadline, according to the administration of the “Forța Fermierilor” Association of Grain and Oilseed Producers.
The Board of Directors of the Swiss Syngenta Group, one of the world’s largest players in the crop protection and seed markets, has unanimously appointed Hende Qin as its new CEO. He will take office on August 1, 2026, succeeding Jeff Rowe, who will return to the United States after nearly 10 years with the company.
The “high season” for sales of late-season sweet cherries is beginning in Moldova. This is typically a period when prices rise, and sometimes the quality and volume of exports of these fruits also increase. This year, due to weather conditions, the season began significantly later than usual. Market operators see this as a “window of opportunity” in foreign markets.
Ukraine can leverage its strengths in the agricultural sector in its relations with third countries and opt out of the subsidy system in place in the European Union. This view was expressed by Katarina Maternová, the EU Ambassador to Ukraine.
In June 2026, 68 micro and small farms received funding totaling 46.7 million lei under the “Agricultural Credit Facilitation” (FCA) program. In total, between March of last year and June of this year, 649 farms in this category received refinancing totaling 554.20 million lei through the FCA program.
In June 2026, the Agency for Investment and Payments in Agriculture (AIPA) approved subsidy applications totaling 53.96 million lei for payment to agricultural producers.
Strengthening cooperation between the National Food Safety Agency (ANSA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in the area of collecting and exchanging statistical data on the use of pesticides and fertilizers was discussed by ANSA Deputy Director General Alena Kastravets and Dorian Kalamvrezos Navarro, an expert with the FAO Statistics Department.
In Central and Southeastern Europe, a long and relatively wet spring created favorable conditions for the early cabbage harvest. As a result, cabbage prices in Poland plummeted from the very start of the selling season. In Ukraine and Moldova, cabbage prices remained at a relatively high level until the end of the first month of summer. However, a significant drop in prices for mid-season—“seasonal”—cabbage is expected going forward.
The Polish railway company Polskie Linie Kolejowe (PKP PLK) announced the cancellation of train services scheduled for late June due to extreme heat.
Ukraine’s rail freight carrier, Ukrzaliznytsia, did not change its rates for the use of grain cars in July of this year. However, the cost of transporting other types of cargo using the company’s rolling stock has increased.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Industry (MAIA) presented information on the establishment and expansion of the Rural Development Data Network (RDDA) during an informational session it organized for representatives of agri-food sector associations.
The Agency for Agricultural Interventions and Payments (AIPA) has announced the start of the next (seventh) round of accepting applications from livestock producers for direct “per kilogram” milk payments. The application period runs from July 6 to August 14, 2026. Farmers may submit their applications (along with the required supporting documents) to their local AIPA offices.
