Romanian government extends licensing requirement for Ukrainian products
Agriculture Minister Florin Barbu urged Romanian processors "to source their raw materials from domestic farmers in order to support national agricultural production."
According to the Agriculture Ministry, the regulation applies to all actors in the agri-food supply chain – including producers, processors, and traders – and plays a vital role in supporting vulnerable social groups, in line with the principles of the European Pillar of Social Rights.
Following the European Commission's decision in September 2023 not to extend the ban on Ukrainian grain imports to five neighbouring EU countries – Bulgaria, Poland, Romania, Slovakia, and Hungary – Bucharest introduced an import licensing system for cereals and oilseeds from both Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova.
Initially introduced in October 2023, the measure has since been extended and broadened to cover additional products.
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