Romania Pushes Local Produce on Supermarkets

Romania's parliament may force supermarkets to sell more domestic fruits, vegetables and meat in a move to support local farmers.

A draft law passed on Tuesday said 51 per cent of products sold in big storses will have to be produced or grown in Romania.

Exceptions will be made during the winter period, when imported fruits and vegetables may represent 70 per cent of the total offer on the shelves.

Those who do not follow the rule could face fines of up to 50,000 lei, or 11,100 euro.

"We are enforcing this regulation to improve the presence of local products in supermarkets," Ovidiu Dontu, member of the ruling Social Democratic Party, PSD, said.

Dontu, the MP who initiated the draft law, added that the measure aims also to create jobs and raise revenue.

The draft law divides Romanians, however.

Many say that supermarkets seem to favour foreign products instead of locally sourced ones, which leads to a situation in which locally grown produce is exported while the population eats lower quality, cheaper imports.

"Something should be done to better promote Romanian produce. It is weird to be able to buy apples from Poland, strawberries from Belgium or meat from South America in the supermarket," one comment on social media reads.

But not everyone agrees. Agriculture Minister Daniel Constantin, member of a junior party in the ruling coalition, has doubts about whether the draft law can work.

"Of course, I would like to see only Romanian products in supermarkets. But such a measure cannot be imposed by law, and besides, Romania does not have the capacity to produce all the foodstuff it needs," Constantin said on Wednesday.

Some critics on social media also call the draft law inappropriate. "I would love...