Romania Requests EU to Include Breeding Animal Purchases in Rural Development Funding

During the Agriculture Council meeting in Brussels, Romanian Minister Florin Barbu called on the European Commission to amend Regulation (EU) 2021/2115, in order to make the purchase of breeding animals eligible for funding through the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development (EAFRD).

The minister emphasized the critical importance of this change for revitalizing the livestock sector, noting that the decline in animal herds across Europe is negatively impacting the competitiveness and food security of the European Union.

"Improving genetics through investments in high-quality breeding animals is essential for increasing farm productivity and reducing environmental impact. Breeding animals are fixed capital investments, used over multiple production cycles, and their inclusion as eligible expenses under the EAFRD is fully justified," stated Minister Barbu.

The Romanian official further argued that selecting high-performance breeds, adapted to local conditions and resistant to disease, leads to greater economic efficiency and reduced methane emissions per production unit—supporting the EU’s sustainability goals.