On June 9, Farmers' Force announced the start of negotiations with the government, during which protests would be halted. Last Friday, Moldovan farmers staged a protest blocking the traffic on a number of key highways with their equipment.
"Some farmers will bring agricultural machinery to highways across the country. In the evening, farmers on trucks will have reached four authorized protest venues in Kishinev," Slusari was quoted by the local broadcaster as saying.
Staging a protest in the capital city is the only alternative to bankruptcy for the farmers, the official continued. It is also the result of the government's failure to address the numerous crises ongoing in the agricultural sector, he added.
"I think the whole society understands that we are having an agricultural emergency if the farmers resort to driving their machinery 150 kilometers [93 miles] to Kishinev in late summer in the scorching heat," Slusari was quoted as saying.
Moldovan farmers have been asking the government for support since February but did not receive any. They gave the authorities time until June 3 to fulfill a new list of demands. These include compensations to small and medium grain producers in the amount of about $170 per hectare, temporary restrictions on imports of wheat, corn, rapeseed and sunflower from Ukraine, subsidy arrears from last year and VAT refunds for fuel. The farmers also believe that the port of Giurgiulesti should export only Moldovan products during the period from July 1 to July 31.