June 15, 2005

Romanian farmers and food processors learned how to prepare for EU accession by listening to the experiences of their counterparts from Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic. More than 300 Romanian farmers and food processors attended the conference, “EU Accession and Agriculture: Lessons Learned from New Entrant Countries,” which was sponsored by the Ministry of Agriculture, the EU, and the US Government. Participants representing the dairy, poultry, pork, cereals, oilseeds and vegetable sectors were welcomed to the conference by Minister of Agriculture Gheorghe Flutur, European Commission Head of Delegation Jonathan Scheele, and Chargé d’Affairs Mark Taplin from the US Embassy.

At the conference held today at Bucharest’s Marriott Hotel, 13 agricultural experts from Poland, Hungary, and the Czech Republic shared their experiences and lessons learned with their Romanian counterparts. The meeting was organized jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture, Forests and Rural Development (MAFRD) and the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). Poland, Hungary and the Czech Republic became EU members in May, 2004, and have concrete insights to share about how farmers and consumers can successfully adapt to EU norms and requirements.

“One of our primary foreign policy objectives in this country is for Romania to join the European Union,” Mr. Taplin said, adding that the agricultural sector faces challenges as the January 1, 2007, accession date approaches. “The opportunity to export duty-free to Western Europe is an enormous opportunity, but at the same time, the obligation to comply with new regulations and compete with Europe’s best farmers is daunting.”

During today’s conference, Romanian agricultural producers and processors and their counterparts from the three EU member countries discussed how new market opportunities and increased competition will affect agribusiness and food prices. Romanian participants are also interested in learning more about obtaining and using SAPARD and structural funds.

Mr. Taplin thanked the representatives from the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Poland, saying, “Neighboring farmers often view the farmer next door as the competition. But farmers who learn to organize themselves and work together tend to gain the most.”

For more information, please contact:
Paul Trupo; USAID
Tel/Fax: 316-1222

back to top ^

15 Iunie 2005

Fermierii si producatorii agricoli romani invata cum sa se pregateasca pentru aderarea la UE din experienta omologilor lor din Polonia, Ungaria si Republica Ceha. Peste 300 de agricultori si producatori agricoli romani au participat la conferinta “Aderarea la UE si agricultura: Lectii invatate de la noile state membre”, sponsorizata de Ministerul Agriculturii, UE si Guvernul Statelor Unite. Participantii care au reprezentat sectoarele produse lactate, carne de pasare, carne de porc, cereale, seminte de floarea-soarelui si legume, au fost intampinati la conferinta de Ministrul Agriculturii Gheorghe Flutur, de Seful Delegatiei Comisiei Europene la Bucuresti Jonathan Scheele si de Insarcinatul cu Afaceri al Ambasadei Statelor Unite la Bucuresti Mark Taplin.

La conferinta organizata astazi la Hotel Marriott, 13 experti agricoli din Polonia, Ungaria si Republica Ceha si-au impartasit experientele omologilor lor romani. Intalnirea a fost organizata de Ministerul Agriculturii, Padurilor si Dezvoltarii Rurale (MAPDR) si de Agentia Statelor Unite pentru Dezvoltare Internationala (USAID). Polonia, Ungaria si Republica Ceha au devenit membre ale UE in mai 2004 si au informatii concrete privind modul in care agricultorii si consumatorii se pot adapta cu succes la normele si cerintele UE.

“Unul dintre obiectivele primare ale politicii noastre externe in aceasta tara este ca Romania sa se integreze in Uniunea Europeana”, a declarat Mark Taplin, adaugand ca sectorul agricol se confrunta cu provocari pe masura ce se apropie data aderarii, 1 ianuarie 2007. ”Oportunitatea de a exporta duty-free catre Europa de Vest este una uriasa dar, in acelasi timp, obligatia de a respecta noile regulamente si de a concura cu cei mai buni agricultori ai Europei este coplesitoare”.

In cadrul conferintei de astazi, producatorii agricoli romani si omologii lor din trei state membre ale UE au discutat modul in care noile oportunitati de piata si competitia din ce in ce mai acerba vor afecta activitatile agricole si preturile la alimente. De asemenea, participantii romani sunt interesati sa afle mai multe informatii despre modul in care pot obtine si folosi fonduri SAPARD si fonduri structurale.

Mark Taplin le-a multumit reprezentatilor din Republica Ceha, Ungaria si Polonia: “Agricultorii vecini ii considera, de multe ori, pe ceilalti ca fiind concurenta. Dar agricultorii care invata sa se organizeze si sa lucreze impreuna sunt cei care tind sa aiba cele mai mari castiguri”.

Pentru informatii suplimentare, persoana de contact: Paul Trupo, USAID
Tel/Fax: 316-1222.

sus ^