It is worth noting in this regard that lawmakers from “Our Party” petitioned the Constitutional Court last year to review the constitutionality of the aforementioned law. In their view, the law mandates that agricultural producers join agricultural chambers without their consent and imposes financial and administrative obligations on them.
“This law is abusive in nature; it is unconstitutional and violates farmers’ fundamental freedoms. Today, the state owes farmers about 4 billion lei, and what are the authorities doing? Instead of paying off the debts, they are passing a law that forces farmers to join these chambers. Moreover, they are being forced not only to join agricultural chambers but also to pay dues,” MP Alexander Berlinsky told reporters at the time outside the Constitutional Court building.
It is also worth noting that the authorities’ attempts to accelerate the process of establishing agricultural chambers have been condemned by many organizations in Moldova’s agri-food sector, including the Council of Agri-Food Associations (CAPA).
