Moldova’s Parliament Introduces Licensing for Grain and Oilseed Imports Until October 31

Moldova’s Parliament has passed a law introducing licensing for imports of grain and oilseed crops until October 31, 2026, without giving the government the right to extend the measure. The Parliamentary Committee on Economy, Budget and Finance approved the bill with six votes, while four opposition members of the committee did not participate in the vote, infotag.md reports. MP Sergiu Stefanco criticized the government’s proposal to exclude agricultural associations representing farmers from the commission responsible for issuing licenses for grain and oilseed imports. Such associations had previously participated in the commission’s work. Responding to the criticism, Dorian Istratii, chairman of the Committee on Economy, Finance and Budget, said that the presence of such associations on the licensing commission constituted a “conflict of interest”. “This is an absolutely unsubstantiated response. By doing this, you are misleading farmers,” Stefanco remarked. He asked who would ultimately decide whether to issue a license to import grain and oilseeds and how farmers would know about such decisions. According to Stefanco, the parliamentary majority and the government have shown that they are “catering to the interests of those who have a total grip on logistics in the Republic of Moldova”. In response, Istratii argued that 70% of livestock feed in Moldova is purchased at market prices. MP Vasile Tarlev noted that if licensing is introduced only until October 31, the law would have no real effect. He proposed extending the licensing period for grain and oilseed imports until December 31, 2026. MP Diana Caraman said that despite supporting the bill in its first reading, the Communist Party faction would not vote for it in the second reading. The reason, she said, was the licensing period, which would run only until October 31, 2026.