Forța Fermierilor demands apology over grain import conflict allegations

The Farmers' Force (Forța Fermierilor) association has demanded an apology from PAS deputy Radu Marian regarding his allegations against deputies Serghei Ivanov and Sergiu Stefanco. Marian had suggested that the two lawmakers faced a conflict of interest concerning a legislative project to license the import of cereals and oilseeds, claiming the project benefited their own grain-growing businesses.

Forța Fermierilor dismissed these claims as “absolutely aberrant,” stating that the initiative was developed at the request of hundreds of small and medium-sized farmers to protect them from dumping prices. The association noted that such legislative advocacy is common among professionals in various sectors and cited practices in Romania, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary regarding agricultural import restrictions.

During parliamentary discussions on the matter, tensions escalated between lawmakers. Vasile Costiuc, leader of Democrația Acasă, accused Sergiu Stefanco of engaging in agricultural activities to benefit from his position, while PAS deputy Dorian Istratii countered by suggesting that such activities are illegal and criticized the parliamentary debate environment.