“We have signed, along with Germany, Italy, France, Spain, the Czech Republic, Austria and Hungary, a request to the EU to continue vine reconversion in 2014-2020,” said Tabara.
The minister stated the fruit sector also needs reconversion, to lend certainty to its development.
“Bistrita has a great reputation and tradition for winemaking; vine reconversion is one of the best European programs. We do not need to import foreign noble wines. Every [Romanian] viticultural area must be brought back,” he said.
The ministry will focus on relaunching agriculture in Transylvania, through programs for small and medium-sized farms. “Israeli farms have two-three sectors and never incur losses; this is what we would like in our rural development farms,” he said.
Tabara urged farmers to promote their products using brands and protected designations of origin. “There will be a special aid program for farmers that want to promote new products on the market, but they will have to meet these uniqueness requirements. It is important that we register these Romanian brands, whether regional or local, with precise holders. They can take responsibility for their products’ quality,” said the minister.