PNL Censure Motion Postponed For May-June
Liberals had talks with the representatives of UDMR and PSR and are trying to recruit the UNPR MPs individually, which might last for a while; thus the censure motion against the government led by PM Victor Ponta will be postponed for May-June.
Ludovic Orban, PNL prime vice-president said that the best time for a censure motion would be May-June, without speeding up the action, except for cases which do not depend on the liberals, such as events that might create instability in the governing coalition. The motion should have been initially submitted in February, then it was postponed for March-April and May-June. (Romania Libera)
Romania Resumes Pork Exports To China
Romania will be able to resume exports of frozen pork to China, as Chinese authorities have approved the registration of the first local producer, Smithfield Romania, the Agriculture Ministry said Tuesday.
Chinese authorities officially informed Romania of its approval of Smithfield for frozen meat exports. Chinese group WH, the world’s largest pork producer and processor, bought U.S. Smithfield Foods in 2013.
Smithfield has a slaughterhouse in Timisoara, one of the largest in Europe, which produces around 30% of pork carcasses in Romania and has a daily slaughtering capacity of 3,500 pigs. (Puterea)
Imports Of Refined Petroleum Products Surge 70% In January
Romania imports large quantities of gasoline and diesel fuel while its refineries are dismantled and sold as scrap metal, so that the country only has three units which produce fuel and one producing bitumen.
The imports of refined petroleum products rose 70% in January to 137,900 tons of oil equivalent (toe), up by 57,000 toe on the year, according to the data of the National Statistics Institute (INS). In 2014, the country imported finite petroleum products equal to 2 million toe, which can be calculated into 1.98 million tons of diesel fuel and a total value of EUR2.47 billion (at an exchange rate of RON4.45 per euro).
Romania only has four operating refineries left, namely Petrobrazi –owned by Petrom, Petromidia and Vega – controlled by KazMunaiGaz and Petrotel – owned by Russian group Lukoil. Only three of them produce fuel, while Vega produces bitumen. (Adevarul)
European Commission OKs Budget For School Fruit Scheme
The European Commission announced Wednesday the approval of the budget for EU program providing school children with fruit and vegetables.
Thus, Romania will get EUR6.86 million of the total EUR150 million, according to Mediafax. Germany will get the largest amount, nearly EUR28 million, followed by Italy – EUR26.8 million and Poland – EUR18 million. The program, created in 2009, targets the distribution of fruit and vegetables in schools for approximately 12 million children aged 6 to 10 in the 25 EU member states (Finland, Sweden and Great Britain decided to quit the program as of August 1, 2015).
The program is aimed at encouraging good eating habits in young people. (Evenimentul Zilei)
Senate Adopts Bill On Smoking Ban In Public Places
A legislative bill initiated by 22 MPs, which bans smoking in public places, was adopted Wednesday by the Romanian Senate.
The legislative draft on amending Law no. 349/2002 for preventing and tackling the effects of tobacco products consumption was voted by the senators with 86 pros, 8 abstentions and 30 cons. The draft law will be sent to the Chamber of Deputies, which has the final say. (Puterea)