In the case of dairy products, we also have to think in terms of a supply chain

(Photo: Pixabay)

In his greeting at the press conference held on the occasion of World Milk Day, the Deputy Secretary of State for Food Chain Supervision of the Ministry of Agriculture reminded that there are positives in the milk sector, but at the same time, due to external influences, there is significant fluctuation in the entire vertical, because our country, due to its size, follows the processes of the European milk market. The Ministry of Agriculture provides assistance to the dairy industry in terms of regulation, control and support. Last year, the 2023-2027 KAP (Common Agricultural Policy) Strategic Plan was adopted, in which about two-thirds of the support tied to production is related to animal husbandry. The goal is to make the support period predictable and planable, added the deputy state secretary. Compared to the previous ones, even in the 2014-2020 period, the support of the food industry received greater emphasis, the VP (Rural Development Program) made more than HUF 20 billion, and the GINOP (Economic Development and Innovation Operative Program) about HUF 10 billion in support available to the for milk processing in the previous support period, and the producers were also able to access national funds – Dr. Beáta Olga Felkai pointed out.

The deputy state secretary emphasized that both the Nébih and the Ministry of Agriculture are doing extraordinary work on the regulatory and control side.

In the framework of the Hungarian Food Code, they are currently working on the regulation of milk drinks, and the Ministry of Agriculture, taking the lead of the industrial initiative, is also examining the tightening of quality requirements for goat cheese. In addition, the goal of the Excellent Quality Food (KMÉ) trademark system is to increase consumer awareness – Dr. Beáta Olga Felkai continued. The most important thing is that the consumer is aware of what kind of product he is taking off the shelf. It is therefore a priority to clarify the concepts of imitation and substitute – in the case of dairy products, this is essential. To this end, the Ministry of Agriculture plans to publish a guide with the help of industry and professional representatives, continued the deputy state secretary.

There is no shortage of support

Dr. Beáta Olga Felkai drew attention to the fact that in the current support period, more than HUF 250 billion of the HUF 750 billion planned for the food industry has already been announced, but planning for the next phase will also begin soon. In addition, in order to be able to draw these subsidies, works related to the interest-subsidized loan program are also underway at the government level. For the Ministry of Agriculture, it is crucial that good relations continue to exist between the government, industry, raw material producers and professional representatives, stated the deputy state secretary.

AM