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Ciolos: Romanian producers should put grain to use in country
The European Commissioner for Agriculture and Rural Development Dacian Ciolos says it would be better for the Romanian farmers not to massively export grain, but use it in the animal-breeding sector, for example, since the added value would stay in the country in this way.
'I think it is important that any product be invested in the agri-foodstuff sector, in the processing area and even with the producers', the farmers' involvement, why not, since the added value comes from the processed, worked-on, quality products to a larger extent. This is the identity of the European agri-foodstuff sector, in the quality products. Romania is part of a basin with important potential of grain production, it is an important thing, but if such grain were used in the animal sector, for example, it would be even better, the added value would stay here', Ciolos told a news conference on Thursday in answer to a reporter's question relating the fact that Romania, last year, sold a high quantity of grain and at a very low price at that.
The commissioner stressed the Romanian farmers are also competitive in Europe, but he added such competitiveness hinges on several factors.
'There already are competitive farmers in Romania. The time that a critical mass is reached depends on several factors, not only on the European funds, it also depends on the national legislation, it depends on the producers' organisation. The sure thing is that opportunities do exist, the market demand is on the rise', Ciolos said.
The European commissioner attended the Innovation Days 2014 in Cluj-Napoca (central-western Romania), an international event dedicated to innovation.