Past, Present and Future of Common Grazing Land in Romania

Abstract

"In comparison to many Western European countries, in Romania the use of common pasture remains widespread, strongly linked to the predominance of subsistence and semi-subsistence farming in much of the country. Although its importance varies across the country, over half of all permanent pasture is under state or community ownership. However, the role of the common pasture in the community is changing. The number of active users is decreasing, and those who have more animals are increasingly grazing their animals on long-term leased or private land, thus effectively no longer participating in the commons. This is encouraged by the current system of relatively low prices for agricultural produce and EU agricultural support payments, which for smallholders and larger farmers alike are now the main factor in the financial viability of farming in Romania. One positive development against this trend has been the formation over recent years of grazing associations made up of member users, which may receive the payments for and administer the common pastures. These relatively new institutions could provide a sustainable solution to the problem of the disconnection of the community from the common land, however, multiple issues with lack of trust and insufficient regulation must first be overcome. Using the case study of the Tarnava Mare region of Transylvania, the aim of this paper is to discuss whether the political and socio-economic situation is really eroding the concept of common grazing in Romania, and whether this presents a threat to not only the appropriate management of the grassland but also the livelihoods of smallholders."