We share the same goals with France regarding European agriculture

(Photo: AM/Csaba Pelsőczy)

István Nagy and the French Minister of Agriculture agreed that the EU-Mercosur agreement in its current form would have a negative impact on the agriculture of EU member states, including Hungary. Based on the draft agreement, agricultural products of objectionable quality that do not meet European production standards, especially poultry and beef, as well as sugar and honey, would arrive in unmanageable quantities in the EU territory. The two ministers agreed that it is necessary to apply the so-called mirror clauses in relations between the EU and third countries, i.e. products entering Europe should also comply with EU regulations, otherwise domestic and EU agricultural production would be significantly damaged and the food security and sovereignty of the member states would be endangered. The Ministry of Agriculture does not support the EU-Mercosur trade agreement under such conditions. The simultaneous entry into force of the market opening towards Ukraine and the EU-Mercosur agreement would destabilize European agriculture, István Nagy warned.

István Nagy finds the plan to integrate the CAP into a single fund particularly worrying – in agreement with the agricultural ministers of all 27 EU countries

He added that it is essential that the EU contributes to ensuring the income stability of European farmers, predictability, maintaining production, strengthening the resilience of the sector, crisis management and contributing to environmental goals with a separate budget, in the form of direct subsidies. The Minister thanked France for also contributing to the adoption of the December Council conclusions, and hopes that our country can continue to count on the support of the French Ministry of Agriculture on this issue.

Agricultural experts should decide on agricultural issues – emphasized French Agriculture Minister Annie Genevard

István Nagy stated that France holds a similar position regarding the negotiations on the simplification of the CAP: the attention of the member states must be drawn to the fact that issues affecting agriculture should be discussed in the Agriculture and Fisheries Council and not in the General Affairs Council. The Hungarian Agriculture Minister expressed his appreciation to Annie Genevard for the vaccination campaign against avian influenza in France, which made a significant contribution to starting the exchange of views on the review of vaccines used to prevent animal diseases. István Nagy indicated to the French Minister that he would like to initiate an exchange of views on the issue at the Agriculture and Fisheries Council meeting in May.

AM