The Minister of Agriculture, Florin Barbu, stated that greenhouses and polytunnels will not be taxed and that the legislative package containing such a provision will be amended, adding that, regarding the crop damage caused by crows and reported by farmers, discussions will be needed with the Ministry of the Environment or with the prime minister.
The County Directorate for Agriculture (DAJ) Buzau organised a working meeting on Wednesday between local farmers and the Minister of Agriculture. During the event, discussions were held on current priorities in the agricultural sector, funding opportunities and solutions to the challenges faced by farmers. They raised questions about legislative provisions in the field, one of them concerning the taxation of greenhouses and polytunnels.
"At the moment, we are facing something very difficult, the taxation of greenhouses and polytunnels. We need a great deal of help," said vegetable grower Claudiu Breazu of Buzau County during the meeting.
The minister of Agriculture replied that such taxation would not take place, as it would not comply with legal requirements.
"Taxing greenhouses and polytunnels in Romania is not possible because, under the Fiscal Code, a polytunnel owned by a private individual cannot be assessed constitutionally. This provision, introduced by the Ministry of Finance, will be removed; it is a unilateral decision of the coalition. For a building to be taxed and given a taxable value, it must have walls and a roof, which polytunnels do not. Seventy per cent of Romania's vegetable-growing area is operated on producer certificates. All greenhouses and polytunnels owned by private individuals will be excluded; this has been discussed, they will be removed. The package has not even been approved yet; it is before the Constitutional Court, and it will be amended because implementing rules need to be issued - rules that cannot be applied to producer certificates and legal entities - and the matter will be eliminated by an ordinance. We will not tax greenhouses and polytunnels for as long as we are in government," said Agriculture Minister Florin Barbu.
Farmers also reported problems caused by birds damaging spring crops, urging the minister to seek a solution from the Ministry of the Environment. One farmer warned that crows can devastate newly sown sunflower and maize fields. In response, Minister Florin Barbu said he would discuss the issue with the Environment Minister and noted that it may require intervention at the level of the Prime Minister. Farmers also highlighted damages caused by wild animals.
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