The Alliance for Agriculture and Cooperation (AAC), an organization that represents the interests of the associative environment in the sector - demands the exemption of agriculture and the food industry from the application of the Odors Law, warning that the new norms would endanger farms, processing units and Romania's food security.
"On behalf of farmers and cooperatives in Romania, represented by the member organizations of the Alliance for Agriculture and Cooperation, we draw attention to the draft methodologies regarding "establishing the level of olfactory discomfort and the content of the olfactory discomfort management plan", which are under public consultation on the website of the Ministry of Environment, Waters and Forests. Following consultation with all professional organizations in the agri-food sector, we unanimously request the exemption of agriculture and the food industry from the application of the Odors Law. Agricultural activities inevitably involve natural olfactory emissions, which cannot be completely eliminated, and the strict application of the proposed rules would endanger the continuity of farms, processing units and the food security of Romania", states a statement from the organization sent to AGERPRES.
The Alliance's main requests aim at exempting farms and agri-food units from the application of the Odors Law, and if the exception is not accepted, the official involvement of the Ministry of Agriculture in the development and application of the norms.
The agricultural organization also requests the protection of previously authorized agricultural holdings from complaints generated by constructions subsequently erected without respecting sanitary protection distances; the introduction of clear and objective criteria for the assessment of olfactory discomfort, differentiated between industrial and agricultural activities; the limitation of abusive complaints through a mechanism for verifying complaints and by requiring compliance with urban planning regulations by complainants; ensuring the continuity of ongoing agricultural and commercial activities, without administrative or legal harassment; the adoption of proportionate norms, aligned with EU standards, that would avoid abuses and protect existing farms.
The AAC recalls that in countries such as France, Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark or Austria there are balanced regulations that protect already authorized farms and treat agricultural odors differently from industrial ones.
"These principles must also be implemented in Romania, as they include "agricultural priority", proportionality of measures and the exclusion of retroactive sanctioning of farmers for activities specific to agriculture. It is absurd to claim that farms and agricultural holdings, legally authorized and functional for years, should be subject to new norms and subsequent penalties for natural and inevitable odors specific to agricultural activity. Food production for the population must be exempted from this legislation, otherwise we risk endangering the continuity of farms, agri-food production and Romania's food security", the representatives of the Alliance for Agriculture and Cooperation also conveyed.
The organization expresses its openness to actively participate in public consultations and to collaborate with the authorities to find fair and balanced solutions that combine environmental protection with ensuring the continuity of agricultural activities.
The Alliance for Agriculture and Cooperation is an organization that represents the interests of the associative environment in the agri-food sector, formed by the National Federation PRO AGRO, the League of Agricultural Producers' Associations of Romania - LAPAR, the National Branch Union of Cooperatives in the Vegetable Sector - UNCSV and the Farmers' Strength Association - AFF.
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