Approval of Exemptions for Small Farmers and Fishermen
The Finance and Budget Commissions of the People's Representative Assembly (ARP) and the National Council of Regions and Districts (CNRD) have approved the exemption of loan contracts granted to small farmers and small fishermen from registration fees.
Objective of the Measure
This measure, introduced in Article 31 of the draft finance law for the year 2026, aims to alleviate their financial burdens, as the fees currently range from 30 to 40 dinars per contract.
Debate and Concerns
The debate focused on the lack of a clear and precise definition of the targeted categories, namely "small farmers" and "small fishermen", which could limit the effectiveness of the measure and make it subject to interpretation, according to data published by the Parliament. Members of Parliament also questioned the financial impact of this exemption on the state budget and the relevance of this measure compared to other more in-depth approaches, such as revising the loan repayment system or canceling late payment penalties.
Ministry's Explanation
Representatives of the Ministry of Finance explained that this measure responds to a demand from professional structures and farmers themselves, and that it is one step among others to promote the sector.
Approval of Article 32
During this joint session, Article 32 was also approved, which proposes exempting local potato production from fees collected for the benefit of support funds (the Competitiveness Development Fund and the Agricultural Damage Compensation Fund) in order to support food security.
Questions and Concerns about Article 32
Members of Parliament asked why the measure was limited to potatoes, excluding other strategic products, whether importers could benefit from it, and who the real beneficiary was (the farmer or the warehouse), particularly in the presence of storage problems. They also demanded clarification on the studies that served as the basis for this measure.
Ministry's Clarification
Representatives of the Ministry specified that the choice of potatoes was explained by the fact that it is the only agricultural product subject to a regulated price and whose importation is requested in case of need. They confirmed that the measure aims primarily to support the production chain following a request from the Professional Grouping.
