The Minister of Agriculture discussed the export of foodstuffs to the United States

(Photo: Csaba Pelsőczy)

On the second day of his visit to the United States, István Nagy discussed scientific cooperation, the accreditation and mutual acceptance of university courses with the United States Deputy Minister of Agriculture. He called the cooperation of the University of Debrecen with the University of South Dakota, as well as the accreditation of the Hungarian University of Veterinary Medicine’s degree in the United States, a huge opportunity. In the statement given to MTI, the minister also reported that an agreement had been reached on speeding up the negotiations on regionalization regulations, which could open the way for Hungarian products to America, and that animal health regulations were also discussed in the negotiations.

István Nagy also said that he met with the leaders of the council that brings together the federal ministers of agriculture of the United States

In his words, this “means the exchange of experience and the building of alliances, which help to lay the foundation for the success of Hungarian agriculture in the long term.” He also discussed with the chairman of the agricultural committee of the House of Representatives. The minister called cooperation important in dealing with the effects of climate change. He cautioned against calling agriculture the clear culprit of climate change, but at the same time said that the change in technology and how agriculture can contribute to mitigating the negative effects of climate change are essential. As an example, he gave the fact that Hungary has the largest afforestation program of all time, as well as the largest technological renewal in animal husbandry and the processing industry. In relation to climate change, he noted that there is a humanitarian responsibility to provide more aid to those states that are more affected.

On Monday, István Nagy participated in the climate change conference AIM for Climate, also organized by the American government

The participants were looking for answers to how agriculture can prepare and adapt to changing environmental conditions, as well as help overcome and counterbalance the effects of climate change. The minister traveled from Washington to Indiana, a key federal state for American agriculture, where he will hold talks with political leaders and business representatives in Indianapolis. After that, István Nagy also visits Chicago.

MTI