Ministry of Agriculture takes action to protect vineyards

By: STA Date: 2025. 08. 25. 09:00

The government is committed to strengthening the competitiveness of the domestic grape and wine sector, and producers can also count on the Ministry of Agriculture’s help in the fight against challenges and plant diseases – stated Minister of Agriculture István Nagy on Monday, at the award ceremony of the “Hungary’s Most Beautiful Vineyard” competition in Budapest.

(Photo: AM/ Csaba Pelsőczy)

At the event, the Minister promised decisive action to curb and control the spread of golden yellow grapevine disease that attacks vineyards. The Minister thanked the farmers for their constructive suggestions on the subject. We agree with the goals and will do everything in our power to expand the legal framework for protection and ensure its financial backing. That is why our country initiated in Brussels that 100 percent support for the costs of protection against the spread of golden yellows in grapes should be included in the available EU grape and wine sector subsidies. The initiative received positive feedback from the Council, and the relevant legislation is expected to be published by the end of this year. The Common Agricultural Policy Strategic Plan has almost 28 million euros available this year, and a total of about 112 million euros for the period 2024-2027. It is helpful that grape growers can now also apply for investment subsidies.

At the event, the Minister also mentioned that the organizers have already extended the competition beyond the border

This proves that the complex, national policy programs launched by the Hungarian government are also having a positive impact on the Hungarian farming community abroad. The Ferenc Schams Plan provides an opportunity to support new community grape plantings, winemaking gatherings and expert advisory programs, which strengthen Hungarian wineries and our historical wine regions across the border.

The participants in the Most Beautiful Vineyard in Hungary competition do not see grapes as just a fruit or an industrial plant

They know well and also admit that grapes represent culture and tradition that have characterized our landscapes for centuries – the Minister of Agriculture emphasized. This year, István Nagy presented the “Most Beautiful Vineyard in Hungary” certificate in the small estate category to the Váli Winery in Badacsonytomaj, among medium-sized estates to the Haraszthy Winery in Etyek, among large estates to the Koch Winery in Borota, and in the cross