Government Approves De Minimis Aid Scheme to Support Breeders of Bazna and Mangalița Pigs in 2025

In a recent Government meeting, a Decision was adopted establishing a de minimis aid scheme to support breeders of reproductive Bazna and/or Mangalița pigs in 2025.

The legislative act aims to assist breeders of these two native pig breeds in increasing the number of reproductive animals and boosting the number of piglets born, with the goal of expanding the national population of Bazna and Mangalița pigs.

“Through this program, we aim to support breeders of the local Bazna and Mangalița pig breeds, contributing to the preservation and development of these valuable genetic resources. The financial support will allow farmers to grow their herds and ensure sustainable production, benefiting both consumers and Romania’s livestock sector. We want to encourage the development of a competitive agriculture rooted in tradition, quality, and sustainability,” stated Florin-Ionuț Barbu, Minister of Agriculture.

The de minimis aid amounts to 2,300 lei/sow/year, with the maximum total budget for the scheme set at 1,500,000 lei, financed from the 2025 budget of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

The total value of de minimis aid granted to a single enterprise or group of linked enterprises may not exceed €50,000 over a three-year period, as defined in Article 3(b) and Article 3(2) of the EU De Minimis Regulation for the agricultural sector.

Eligible Beneficiaries

The scheme is open to breeders of reproductive Bazna and/or Mangalița pigs, specifically:

• a) Individual agricultural producers (PFA, II, IF)
• b) Agricultural companies
• c) Legal entities engaged in agricultural production

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for the aid, applicants must meet the following conditions:

• a) Own holdings registered/authorized by veterinary authorities
• b) Own reproductive Bazna and/or Mangalița sows registered in the main section of the Breed Registry at the time of application, identified and recorded in the National Animal Database (BND)
• c) Maintain a complete and up-to-date farm registry in accordance with Order No. 208/2022 of the National Sanitary Veterinary and Food Safety Authority (ANSVSA)
• d) Provide proof of commercial delivery of at least 4 piglets per sow per year, each with a minimum weight of 8 kg
• e) Identify and register the piglets as per the veterinary standards in Order No. 208/2022
• f) Perform DNA testing on each registered Bazna or Mangalița sow
• g) Maintain the number of sows declared in the program (with replacements allowed under Article 8(13)) until November 28, 2025
• h) Ensure that total de minimis aid received in the primary agricultural production sector does not exceed €50,000 (RON equivalent) per enterprise over the last three years

Required Documents for Enrollment

Applicants must submit the following documents with their registration:

• a) Registration certificate from the Trade Register or other applicable document, power of attorney, and copy of the legal representative’s ID
• b) Proof that the holding is registered in the BND, with animals identified and recorded in the National Animal Identification and Registration System, issued by the system operator
• c) Veterinary registration/authorization certificate (copy)
• d) Certificate issued by a breeders’ association accredited by the National Agency for Zootechnics, confirming registration of the sows/gilts in the main section of the Breed Registry (ear tag list), validated by the County Office for Zootechnics (Annex 2 model)
• e) Updated farm registry showing the number of sows registered in the Breed Registry (copy)
• f) Proof of an active bank or treasury account

Proof of DNA testing for each Bazna or Mangalița sow enrolled in the program must be submitted no later than July 31, 2025.

Applications for program enrollment must be submitted to the County Agricultural Directorates starting from the date the Government Decision enters into force and no later than July 31, 2025.

Required Documents for Payment Request

To claim aid payments, beneficiaries must submit the following documents:

• a) Invoices issued in accordance with Emergency Ordinance No. 120/2021 on the RO e-Invoice system, or daily fiscal reports showing buyer identification data and the number of animals sold
• b) Accompanying documents listing the number of piglets sold, weight per animal, and buyer’s farm address
• c) Animal movement documents, as per Order No. 208/2022 of ANSVSA
• d) Veterinary health certificates for the sold piglets
• e) Mating and farrowing records confirming the piglets delivered for sale

Payment requests and supporting documents must be submitted to the County Agricultural Directorates by November 28, 2025, at the latest.