MPs of Moldova's Action and Solidarity Party register in parliament draft law aimed at bringing local producers closer to consumers

MPs from the Action and Solidarity Party’s (PAS) faction have recently registered in parliament a draft law that aims to support local producers through short supply chains. The initiative is part of the electoral commitments and has been developed by MPs together with field experts in the last few months.

According to MP Radu Marian, the concept of a “short chain” involves reducing the number of intermediaries between producers and consumers, so that products reach store shelves faster, are fresher and the profit remains in the hands of the farmer or producer.

The draft law provides more concrete measures to support local producers.

“Our goal is simple: the road from farm to the consumer’s table should be as short as possible, and the profit should remain in the producer’s pocket, not be lost along the way in unnecessary commissions. Concrete benefits for local producers include shelf transparency: large retailers will be required to have written and clear procedures for selecting suppliers. We propose recognition through an official logo: we will introduce a special logo that will help consumers immediately identify the places where products from short supply chains are sold. Thus, citizens will know exactly that, through their purchase, they directly support a short-chain producer. Priority in public procurement: schools, kindergartens and hospitals will be able to award additional points to products that come through short supply chains, thereby supporting the regional economy,” Marian wrote.

The law also provides for the possibility that the state may support producers through grants and funding dedicated to short supply chains, investments in production capacities, storage and shared logistics, consultancy and technical support for production and marketing modernization, as well as the implementation of a multiannual national programme with measurable objectives and indicators.

The initiative is aligned with similar legislation in France, Italy, Romania and the Czech Republic and complements the I Buy Good from Home campaign, meant to support the local economy and promote domestic products.