A bill that would force local supermarkets to have special designated areas for traditional Romanian products has been submitted to Parliament. The draft bill is the initiative of liberal MP Horea Uioreanu and democrat liberal MP Mircia Giurgiu and is meant to support the local economy.
If the bill will be passed by Parliament, supermarkets will have to assign at least 10 percent of their sales area for to traditional Romanian food and non-food products.
Uioreanu explained that local retailers “block” these products from entering their outlets and this affects local manufacturers. “I expect supermarkets will try to resist this measure but we’re not interested in supporting the consumption of tomatoes from South Africa and garlic from China over our own traditional products,” Uioreanu said according to Mediafax newswire. He added that the bill is also supported by Agriculture Minister Valeriu Tabara.
The bill stipulates fines of RON 5,000 to 10,000 for non-observance.
Simona Bazavan